Transcript Emperors of Rome - San Diego Unified School District

Emperors of Rome
Pgs. 352-357
 In
the first century BC, Rome was a
republic. Power lay in the hands of the
Senate, elected by Roman citizens. But
the senators were fighting for power
between themselves. Order had given
way to anarchy and only might was right.
 The
empire started through violence and
depended on force. Emperors could only
survive if their people believed they
could outgun anyone and everyone else.
If an army grew dissatisfied, the emperor
was in trouble; if dissatisfaction spread
further, he was finished.
 It
mixed sophistication with brutality and
could suddenly lurch from civilization,
strength and power to terror, tyranny and
greed.
 Gifted
philosopher and orator (public
speaker)
 Wanted to restore order to Rome by:
• Taking power away from generals
• Giving more power to senators
• Restore checks and balances of
government
• People didn’t support his ideas
At the head of the pack were the emperors, a
strange bunch of men (always men). Few were
just OK: some were good - some even were great
- but far too many abused their position and
power. They had a job for life, but that life could
always be shortened.
Assassination was an
occupational hazard.
Emperors sat at the top of the
social order.
Rome was a collection of states that were backed up by force. People
would come through the city of Rome from all over the world to trade.
Along with these people came many new ideas and goods.
Rome also attracted many people, many times poorer people.
Social status in Rome governed the life that they led.
 Read
page 353 closely. What traits did
Caesar have that made him successful?
Trait
How this helped him


53-50 BC - Julius Caesar conquers Gaul.
Julius Caesar turns his attention to seizing supreme
power in Rome itself (takes on Italy)
49 BC - Caesar crosses the Rubicon. Civil war
begins.
 After his victory in Gaul, Caesar is so popular that
the nervous Senate calls on him to resign and
disband his army or risk being declared an 'Enemy
of the State'. Caesar decides to march on Rome and
crosses the Rubicon River with a standing army,
throwing the empire into civil war.
 Caesar chased Pompey out of Rome, ending up in
Egypt. He met Cleopatra and made her Queen.

Caesar returned to Rome
 Declared
himself dictator for 10 years,
then for life.
 People feared he was trying to make
himself king
 IDES OF MARCH: (March 15, 44 BC)
• Senators very angry, so they attacked Caesar in
the Senate house and stabbed him to death
 Murderers
forced to flee Rome
 Common people who loved him upset
and rioted
 Senate tried to restore order
 Anthony and Octavian tried to avenge his
death
• Found killers, defeated them, killed themselves
How did people Feel about his death?
Create a flow chart for each to show their
paths after defeating Caesars Killers
Octavian
Anthony
Pg. 356