Ancient History - Julio-Claudians Complete Notes and Evidence

Detailed Band 6 notes - includes evidence (quotes and archaeology) and analytical points.

Based on the topic's HSC syllabus:

Principal Focus: Through an investigation of the archaeological and written sources for Rome in the time of the Julio-Claudian and the Roman Empire AD 14 – 69, students learn about significant developments, forces and historiographical issues that shaped the historical period.

1 Development of the Principate • impact of the death of Augustus • changing role of the princeps under the Julio-Claudians rulers: Tiberius, Gaius (Caligula), Claudius, Nero • the Senate: changing role and responsibilities • reforms and policies of the Julio-Claudian rulers: political, social, legal, religious, and administrative • changing image of the princeps • political roles of the Praetorian Guard and army; role of Sejanus, Macro and Burrus • significance of building programs • imperial family and problems of the succession: Livia, Julia, Germanicus, Agrippina the Elder, Messalina, Agrippina the Younger • consequences of the death of Nero • role and contribution of Seneca • Year of the Four Emperors: Galba, Otho, Vitellius, Vespasian

2 The Empire • expansion and consolidation of the empire • the relationship of the princeps and the army • administration of the empire: development of the imperial bureaucracy; role of freedmen: Pallas and Narcissus • development of the imperial cult throughout the empire