Page 69 - Reading Success B7

The assassination of Julius Caesar, the last dictator of the Roman Republic, ended the
Senate’s fear of being replaced by a king, but plunged Rome into a civil war once more.

Caesar’s supporters defeated the armies of the opposing nobles but the former
subsequently turned against each other. In the end of the bloody struggle, Octavian
emerged victoriously and became the unchallenged leader of Rome. Like Caesar,
Octavian also believed that only a strong single ruler could restore order in Rome. The
Senate, now stripped of nobles struggling for power, supported the rule of Octavian,

cleverly pacifying them with money and rights to give him advice. They later bestowed
him the title “Augustus” meaning honored and majestic. Without the Senate even knowing
it, the Roman Republic had come to an end. Thus, the Roman Empire began.

During the reign of Augustus, Rome entered an age of peace and prosperity. It later
became known as the period of Pax Romana or “the Roman Peace”, which lasted for 200
years. It was generally a time of order and good government. Not surprisingly, Rome

experienced many changes from the early days of the Republic to the period of Pax
Romana including family life. In the early years of the Republic, the father had
absolute authority over his household including slaves and distant relatives. By the
second century A.D., a time well into the Pax Romana, discipline in the family was much
less stern. Some parents, perhaps due to their increased wealth at this golden time,

became overindulgent which caused conservative Romans to complain that children were
spoiled and undisciplined.

Women also enjoyed more freedom at the time of the empire. A woman could no

longer be forced by her father to marry against her will. She could own property and keep
her own money or property if divorced. She could engage in business and make a will
without any need for her husband’s approval. Roman women also had greater freedom

than the Greek upper class women. The former could visit their friends or shop as they
pleased. They had access to education and learned Greek and Latin literature as well as
music and dance. Many women from prominent senatorial families also gained political
power and influenced Roman politics.

Main Idea

What is the main idea of this story?

a. the assassination of Julius Caesar

b. the Senate’s role in changing the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire
c. how Rome changed from a republic to an empire, and the changes seen during

Pax Romana
d. women’s role in the Roman Empire

72_Reading Success B 7