Roman Empire Dbq

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Ancient Roman civilization was characterized by government and dictated by emperors of the country. The Roman Empire is the most important empire of all of history. The 500 year old republic which preceded it was severely damaged in a sequence of battles and political matters, during which Julius Caesar was chosen as dictator and then murdered in 44 BC. Which came tension between Octavian and Antonius on who is going to rule the throne of Rome. Civil wars and executions continued, ending in the victory of Octavian, Caesar's adopted son, over Mark Antony and Cleopatra at the Battle of Actium in 31 BC and the takeover of Egypt. Octavian's power was now unstoppable and in 27 BC the Roman Senate formally granted him predominant power and the new …show more content…

Civilization Rome the most powerful civilization at one point in time in world history. The Roman Empire had much ownership around the Mediterranean Sea in Asia, Africa, and Europe. As such the Latin’s settled in the wider area of Rome around 1000 BC. Early settlements were not to be mistaken for anything like a city, rather more “country” plain region. They kept pigs, herded sheep, goats, cattle and lived in primitive, round huts. “So how could such archaic beginnings ever lead to a city of power which would rule the world? The rise of Rome was certainly not inevitable, but it had many advantages right from the start” (“The Roman Empire”). Rome lies only a few miles from the sea with many trade opportunities. What came with great land and trade routes came great powerful emperors. “Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus was awarded the honorific title of Augustus by a decree of the Senate. So began the Roman empire and the principal of the Julio-Claudians” (Lightfoot). Even though he did not rule for long, he gave Rome a since of hope and a whole dynasty of emperors. Between 58 and 50 BC, Caesar used his expertise in military strategy, as with the Roman army’s training and discipline to conquer …show more content…

Octavius was to reserve the peace of Italy and the western provinces, and to destroy the fleet of Sextus Pompeius, which was interfering with Roman commerce. Octavius used force and craft to secure his position in the West. He first put down an insurrection incited by the partisans of Antony. The young conqueror won the affections of the people, and tried to show them that peace and prosperity could come only through his influence. While everything in the West was turning in favor of Octavius, all things in the East were also paying to his success as well. But this was not due so much to his own skill as to the feebleness and foolishness of Antony. Octavius tried giving his sister Octavia to Antony in marriage, But Antony became fascinated by Cleopatra, the “Serpent of the Nile”. He divided the Roman provinces with Cleopatra, who was called “the queen of kings.” The Roman people were in shock when he desired his disgraceful acts to be confirmed by the senate. They could not help contrasting this weak and infatuated slave of Cleopatra with their own Octavius, the strong and prudent governor of the West. While Octavius was

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