Transcript The Beginning of Rome

The Decline of the Republic
• After the 3rd Punic War, many problems
occurred in Rome
• Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus wanted to
give land and power to Plebeians
• Patricians and the Senate vetoed their
ideas
• The Senate had both men assassinated
• Plebeians rose up against the Patricians
The Decline of the Republic
• Roman generals like Marius and Sulla fought for
the Plebians and granted them the right to join
the army without owning land
• Soldiers gave their loyalty to their generals and
not to Rome
• One general who rose to power was Caesar
• He and two other generals, Pompey and
Crassus, formed the first triumvirate, and Rome
was led by 3 consuls instead of 2.
The First Triumvirate
Caesar
Pompey
Crassus
Caesar
• Caesar conquered Gaul (today its France) from 58- 51
BCE
• He was powerful because the Plebeians and the army
loved him.
• In 49 BCE, he brought his armies to Rome and Civil War
broke out between him and Pompey.
• Caesar became dictator of Rome.
• After defeating Pompey, Caesar became dictator for life
in 44 BCE.
• The Senate realized Caesar had made himself king and
he was assassinated by the Senate on March 15,
44BCE
The Decline of the Republic
• After Caesar’s death, the Second Triumvirate was
formed.
• Mark Anthony: A general in Caesar’s army
• Octavian: Caesar’s nephew and adopted son
• Marcus Lepidus: Another general in Caesar’s army
• All three wanted complete power and civil war broke out
again.
• Octavian’s armies defeated both men and he was the
sole ruler of Rome.
• Octavian was named the first emperor of Rome and was
given the title of Augustus.
The Decline of the Republic
Map of Rome, 44 BCE