Transcript From Republic to Empire

From Republic to Empire
Results of Punic Wars
 Rome is master of the Mediterranean
 Have Spain, North Africa, Greece
 Divide conquered territories into provinces-
each with a governor appointed by the senate
 Conquered citizens can become Romansmade people want to conform
Problems with Victory
 Suddenly Rome is HUGE- and new territories
brought new problems
 Government had been designed for a city, not
an empire. Republic was supposed to be a
“brotherhood”- but an empire cannot be
 100 years of war had messed up the
economy. (especially 2nd- when Hannibal had
been invading)
 People feel restless and unbalanced
From Republic to Empire
 (3rd Punic) 146 bc.- 44 bc. (Julius Caesar) is a time of
great transition.
 Clear the Republic wasn’t working- but how do we fix
it? (lots of ideas and attempts)
 Often a time of chaos- some Romans used this
period to try to gain power for themselves illegally.
Violence and Power
 Rome is large and often unstable
place. Mob violence is common
when the people are unhappy. (that is why
order is so important)
 Smart leaders use techniques like
entertainment or free food to keep people
happy.
 The army also plays a key role- they are the
police. So whoever has the loyalty of the
army has increasing power in Rome
Julius Caesar
 One of the most famous
men in history- his life is
a turning point for Rome
 Will help create the
empire- but will never
be emperor.
 “Born lucky” wealthy,
popular, handsome,
skilled.
 Admired Alexanderwanted to rule the
world.
 Became famous as a
general for conquering
Hispania (Spain) and Gaul
(France)
The First Triumvirate
 60 bc. Senate is unable to handle the gov’t. Agree to
pass much of their power to 3 men.
 Pompey (politician)
 Julius Caesar (army)
 Crassus (calm- trust)
 Caesar sent to Gaul, which he conquers. Give away
all his land there, which gets him the loyalty of the
army, more popularity.
 53 bc. Crassus dies in Greece
 52. bc. Pompey orders Caesar to return to Romewithout his army.
Ruling Rome
 Caesar refuses to come when ordered. Stays in
Gaul, and organizes a rebellion in the army.
 49 bc. Caesar marches on Rome (Rubicon- “the die
is cast”)
 Pompey flees- Caesar chases (first to Greece where
Pompey’s army switches to Caesar, then to Egypt,
where Pompey is killed by Cleopatra)
 46 bc. Caesar is back in Rome- with total control of
the government. Declared “Dictator for Life”
Betrayal and Death
 Many people are
unhappy with the idea
that Caesar is basically
king- Rome isn’t
supposed to have
kings. Others are
jealous of Caesar’s
power.
 44 bc a group of
Senators led by
Cassius and Brutus
decide Caesar must be
stopped to save the
Republic
 *** March 15th 44 bc***
(beware the Ides of
March!) Caesar is
stabbed to death on the
Senate floor.
The Roman Empire
 Immediate struggle for
power
 Octavian- (19 year old
nephew) was Heir, but
power seemed up for
grabs
 Violence was
everywhere
The Second Triumvirate
 Octavian/Mark Anthony/Lepidus join together to hunt
down conspirators, and form a new government.
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Anthony goes to Egypt (falls in love with Cleopatra)
Lepidus goes to Gaul/Hispania
Octavian stays in Rome
Eventually Lepidus retires, Octavian and Anthony split
empire- but both want it all
Civil war breaks out (again)
31 bc Octavian defeats Anthony/Cleopatra at Actium
and becomes undisputed leader of Rome