Transcript File
From Republic to Empire II. Rome Becomes an Empire A. The First Triumvirate 60 BC - Caesar and two other generals, Gnaeus Pompey and Licinius Crassus, formed the First Triumvirate Julius Caesar 100 - 44 BC Gnaeus Pompey 106 - 48 BC Licinius Crassus 115 BC – 53 BC A. The First Triumvirate Crassus died; Caesar defeated Pompey in a civil war; named dictator for life in 44 BC Julius Caesar and the Crossing of the Rubicon The Power Vacuum • The legacy of Julius Caesar’s death was the political vacuum that was left after the Ides of March. • Caesar’s series of dictatorships and the many titles and honors granted by the Senate had effectively dismantled the mechanism of government. Free elections had not been held since 49BC • Whoever was to fill the vacuum would need wealth and a loyal army. Landless Roman Peasants Italian Allies - Served in the armies that had won an empire - Wanted farmland and a minimum standard of living - Served in the armies that had won an empire - Wanted citizenship and equal Treatment Senate - Intense rivalries -Jealously protected privileges and power -Did not address needs for reform Roman Plebs Equites - Laborers and poor of the capital - Access to grain and bread at affordable prices - Wealthy and distinguished non-senators - Wanted honors and recognition and did not want senators to look down on them B. The Second Triumvirate 43 BC - Octavian, Marc Antony, and Lepidus seized power; formed the Second Triumvirate Octavian 63 BC - AD 14 Marc Antony 83 BC – 30 BC Lepidus 90 BC - 13 BC B. The Second Triumvirate Lepidus forced out; Antony and Octavian each governed half the empire Octavian and Antony Heirs apparent? As individuals what do they have and what do they lack to take up the fill the shoes of Caesar? OCTAVIAN Sources of power NAME OF CAESAR: Patrician birth Clientale Loyal army Wealth? MARK ANTONY SOURCES OF POWER •In possession of CaesarS will •Consul for 44BC •Loyalty of veterans •From the Civil War B. The Second Triumvirate 31 BC - Civil war between Octavian and Antony; Octavian defeated Antony and Egypt’s Cleopatra The Battle of Actium B. The Second Triumvirate Cleopatra, Antony committed suicide; Octavian controlled Rome; republic ended, beginning a new period in Roman history Antony and Cleopatra C. From Octavian to Augustus 27 BC - Senate gave Octavian title of Augustus, “the revered one” Birth name: Gaius Octavius Thurinus Name as Emperor: Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus