A History of Western Society: Printed Page 163

A History of Western Society, Value Edition: Printed Page 152

A History of Western Society, Concise Edition: Printed Page 164

Augustus’s Successors FOCUS QUESTION How did the Roman state develop after Augustus?

Augustus’s success in creating solid political institutions was tested by the dynasty he created, the Julio-Claudians, whose members schemed against one another trying to win and hold power. The incompetence of one of the Julio-Claudians, Nero, and his failure to deal with the army generals allowed a military commander, Vespasian (veh-SPAY-zhuhn), to claim the throne and establish a new dynasty, the Flavians. The Flavians were followed by the “five good emperors,” who were relatively successful militarily and politically. Rome entered a period of political stability, prosperity, and relative peace that lasted until the end of the second century C.E.