Five good emperors

Nerva – Marcus Aurelius

HIS 207

Oakton Community College

Mitilineos

November 17, 2011

Reminders

All material due by 11/29/2011

Final study guide – 11/29/2011

Today:

◦ Film

◦ Boudicca

◦ Five good emperors

Boudicca and the Iceni

Roman Britain

C.E. 60

The evidence

◦ Tacitus Agricola

◦ Archaeology not helpful

Iceni

◦ Celtic tribe in East Anglia

◦ farming

Prasutagus, king of the Iceni

Women among the Iceni

◦ power and positions of prestige

◦ Owned land

◦ Right to divorce

Prasutagus

◦ Client/king

◦ Left kingdom to two daughters and Nero

Roman law prohibits inheritance by women

Members of ruling class enslaved

Boudicca flogged, her daughters raped

The Iceni look to Boudicca for leadership

Revolt begins

Supported by neighboring tribes, the Iceni numbered about 100,000

Attacked Camulodunum (Cambridge) and Colchester

Successful for awhile due to guerilla tactics, use of chariots, lack of respect

Last victory at Londinium (London)

230,000 faced smaller Roman force (Midlands – location unknown)

70,000 killed as Roman weapons and tactics under Paulinas prevail

Suicide c. 61/62

Nerva

96-98

Period of five good emperors generally prosperous

Chosen by senate

Recalled exiles

Modified taxes

Tolerated Christians

Adopted Trajan as his successor

Purchased land from wealthy and rented them to the needed

Promoted public education including poor children

Trajan

98-117

Born in Spain

Father was a consul

Patrician status

Adopted by Nerva in 97

Extended the empire

As emperor

Deified Nerva

Optimus Augustus – the best

Generally fair to the army

Cash gifts to Romans

Increased the number receiving free grain

Lessened taxes

On Christians - moderate

Public works

◦ Roads, bridges, aqueducts, harbors

◦ New public baths

◦ New forum

Libraries – Greek and Latin

Trajan’s column

Military

Dacians

Parthians

Upper Mesopotamia

ctesiphon

Survived Antioch earthquake in 115

Revolts in 116

Died returning to Rome

Hadrian

117-138

Proclaimed by praetorian guard

Elected by senate

Interested in the arts

Less interested in conquest

Hadrian’s wall

Britain

122