5-16-11

  Octavian (Caesar Augustus) was the 1st emperor. Begins at Pax Romana (a period of peace and prosperity), he built roads, aqueducts, and set up civil service to take care of roads, the grain supply, even a postal service. Augustus died at age 76 in 14 A.D. and passed him power to Tiberius.

  Jesus was a Roman citizen and a practicing Jew. At 30, he began his ministry preaching to the poor in the empire, and reaching out to outsiders. His statements made the Romans nervous, and they began to plan his execution. The governor of the Roman providence of Judea, Pontius Pilate, sent Jesus to death by crucifixion.

  Paul told the world about Jesus' life, death, resurrection, and message. He wrote letters to many of those he spoke to which are a part of the New Testament. If not for the efforts of Paul, it is likely that Jesus remains an obscure preacher, instead of the central figure of the world's largest religion.  

  As Augustus' stepson and adopted son, Tiberius succeeded Octavian. Although a great general, he was a dark, somber, reclusive, and reluctant emperor. He referred to the Senate as "men fit to be slaves". Germanicus started out as Tiberius's ally, since he quelled a legion mutiny, but when it looked like he would succeed Tiberius, he got paranoid and had Germanicus killed. He died in 37 A.D. at the age of 77, giving his power to Caligula.

  In addition to being Germanicus's son, he was Tiberius' adopted grandson and great-nephew, putting him next in line for emperor. He started off well by granting bonuses and then started to fight with the Senate. He claimed to be a God, and had statues displayed in many places, including the Jewish temple in Jerusalem. He abused his power and was assassinated by his own aides in 41 B.C.

  Claudius was next in line. He was ostracized by his family because of his disabilities, he was the last adult male in his family when Caligula was killed. He had an awful marriage to Messalina, who was quite often unfaithful to him so Claudius had her and her lover Silius killed.