Читать книгу The Literature and History of New Testament Times - J. Gresham Machen - Страница 11

By the middle of the first century before Christ the power of the Roman republic extended around the Mediterranean Sea. Victories abroad, however, were accompanied by serious troubles at home. The increase of wealth and the importation of slave labor had produced unfortunate social conditions. The realm had become too large to be administered adequately by the old republican government. Individuals sometimes obtained practical control of affairs, and the state was torn by civil wars. Finally, in 49 BC, Julius Cæsar entered Rome at the head of an army, and Roman liberty was at an end. After the assassination of Cæsar in 44 BC, there was a succession of civil wars, and then, by the victory of Actium in 31 BC, Octavius, who later assumed the name of Augustus, became sole ruler. Augustus died in AD 14.

Subsequent emperors during the first century were: Tiberius (A. D. 14–37), Caligula (A. D. 37–41), Claudius (A. D. 41–54), Nero (A. D. 54–68), Galba, Otho and Vitellius (A. D. 69), Vespasian (A. D. 69–79), Titus (A. D. 79–81), Domitian (A. D. 81–96), Nerva (A. D. 96–98), Trajan (A. D. 98–117).