rise of the emporers

• After Ceaser's death, his great-nephew/ adopted son takes control at 18
• forms his own triumvirate 
• Mark Antony, powerful general
• Lepidus, powerful politician 
• second triumvirate 
• Octavian forces weak Lepidus to step down
• He and Antony become rivals 
• Antony partners with Cleopatra of Egypt - Militarily, personally, politically, and economically 
• Octavian beats them at the battle of Actium 
• Octavian now the unchallenged ruler of Rome  
• Given title Agustus meaning chosen one 
• also given title Imperator or Supreme Military Commander
• this is where the word Emporer comes from 
• Rome is now an Empire, not a republic
• Octavian ruled as Emporer for 40 years
• began the period of peace and prosperity called pax Romana 
• 207 years long from 27bc-180 ad 
• he expanded Rome further into Africa 
• set up civil services to help the gov 
• built roads
• collected taxes
• established a postal service 
• administered grain supply 
• building public facilities such as aqueducts and other buildings
• police department 
• fire fighting organization 
• Died of natural causes
• Tiberius 
• AD14-AD37
• excellent general, but reluctant Emporer
• after the death of his son, he exiled himself and left prefects in charge
• died at 77
• Caligula
• AD 37 - AD 41
• won a power struggle after Tiberius' death 
•   known for extravagance, cruelty, and perversity  
• killed by praetorian guards and members of the court and senate looking to reform Rome
• Claudius 
• AD 41 - AD 54
• suffered from limp, studdering, slobbering, and shaking, possibly from cerebral palsy 
• ruled well, performed public works 
• started conquest to Brittain 
• poisoned by his last wife so her son Nero could rise to power
• Nero
• 54-68
• emphasized arts 
• huge fire in 64 wanted to rebuild Rome
• hugely overspent raided temples for money