Transcript Fall of the Roman Republic And Rise of the Roman Empire

FALL OF THE ROMAN REPUBLIC
AND
RISE OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE
CAUSES FOR THE FALL OF THE
ROMAN EMPIRE
Division between the Roman Classes
 Spread of Slavery controlling the agricultural
areas
 Migration into the cities
 High Unemployment
 Inflation, the Devaluing of Currency
 Civil War & Julius Caesar

ARISTOCRATS
As Rome grew,
the aristocrats
grew richer, and
the poor grew
poorer
 The rich lived on
large estates (or
farms) where up
to thousands of
slaves worked

SLAVERY
Slaves in Rome were often conquered people
 Slavery was not based on race
 Slaves had to work on the large estates called
latifundia
 Slaves made up 1/3 the population

URBANIZATION : WHAT IS THE EFFECT ON THE
CITIES?
Small farmers could not compete with these
large estates
 Many were retired soldiers
 Some small farmers sold their farms
and worked for the
aristocrats

 Many
quit farming
and moved to
the city to find work
INFLATION: WHAT IS THE EFFECT OF THE POOR?
To add to the troubles,
the Romans created too
much currency.
 Devalued their Currency

 Prices
of goods and
services increased while
wages (pay) stayed the
same

Called inflation
PLEBEIANS SEEK AID, REFORM FAILS
- By using slaves for labor, Roman plebeians found little opportunity for jobs in the
countryside of the city.
In huge numbers, Romans flock to the city of Rome itself.
-
-
All they found were other unemployed people.
Joined together, many form angry mobs.
Many are only able to find jobs working for politicians as hired thugs.
- These thugs become privately owned street gangs.
The Gracchus Brothers
- Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus – elected Tribunes
-
-
In 133 BC and again in 144 BC, they call for reforms to the latifundia system.
Their reform ideas angered many wealthy senators, who had them killed
in gang street violence.
THE RISE OF POWERFUL GENERALS
 The
most powerful politicians
(Patricians) are also the most powerful
generals
 These generals started to recruit and
pay their own armies from the poor
people
 Effect: The
armies become loyal to the
general, not the Republic
THE RISE OF CAESAR
-
-
With the plebeians angry at their current state, powerful generals quickly
gain the loyalty of the legions.
For a number of years, the Senate struggles with these powerful generals
(many are consuls) who threaten the existence of the Republic with their
power.
Eventually, power becomes split between three men.
-
-
Julius Caesar, consul
Pompey “Magnus” (Pompey “The Great”), consul
Crassus, retired consul
Calling themselves, in secret, the Triumvirate, they plan to split the rule of
Rome between them.
Each of the men seeks a base of power from which to rule.
-
Pompey, having been a successful general for many years, sets up in Rome
itself.
Julius Caesar conquers the land called Gaul (modern France), making him
extremely rich.
Crassus attempts to conquer Parthia, in Asia Minor, but is killed in battle.
JULIUS CAESAR
Brilliant general
 Conquered Gaul (France)
for Rome
 Fought with his men,
they were dedicated to
him and not the Republic

FIRST TRIUMVIRATE
They are known as the 1st Triumvirate (rule by 3)
 Caesar teamed up with Crassus and Pompey to
dominate the Republic as the First Triumvirate
 The Roman Senate worried that Caesar was becoming
too popular and powerful
 They ordered him to disband his army and return to
Rome
Caesar
Pompey
Crassus
CROSSING THE RUBICON
Caesar defied the order and
marched his men across
the Rubicon River, and into
Rome
 Defeated other members of
the triumvirate
 Took power and was named
dictator for life

 Ruled
with total power
THE RULE (AND DEATH) OF JULIUS CAESAR
Caesar’s Reforms of Roman Government
- Created a public works program to employ the jobless citizens of
Rome and gave land to his soldiers and the poor.
-Introduced the Julian Calendar, which he adapted from the
Egyptians
- He granted Roman citizenship to more people, many coming
from other Italian tribes. (ie- not the Latins).
Still, many of the patricians and Senators of Rome hated Caesar and
saw him as another would-be king.

Some considered him a TYRANT.
THE RULE (AND DEATH) OF JULIUS CAESAR
Caesar’s Reforms of Roman Government
- To save what they saw as a crumbling republic, a small
group of Senators, led by Marcus Brutus, assassinate
Caesar in the Senate on March 15, 44 BC. Known as
the IDES OF MARCH
He is stabbed 23 times. It was said his last act in life was
to try and cover his face with his toga so that no one
would see his face as he died.
CAESAR’S REFORMS
Expanded citizenship to provinces
 Introduced the Julian Calendar, which he
adapted from the Egyptians
 Created jobs by building
government buildings
 Increased soldiers’ pay
 Very popular with the
people

THE ASSASSINATION OF JULIUS CESAR
OCTAVIAN AUGUSTUS CAESAR
Caesar’s nephew and adopted son
 Very shrewd politician
 After Caesar’s assassination,
Rome broke into civil war.
 Octavian emerged as one of
the most powerful Romans

SECOND TRIUMVIRATE
Octavian teamed up with Lepidus and Marc
Antony to defeat Caesar’s enemies and take
control of the Republic
 Eventually Octavian became the most powerful,
defeating Antony and his Egyptian ally
Cleopatra. (Antony and Cleopatra then
committed suicide together). He then forced
Lepidus into exile.

FIRST EMPEROR
When Augustus defeated Antony, he became
Rome‘s first emperor
 Maintained power through control of the army
and through favors
 While the institutions of the republic remained,
they had little real power

WHAT’S A COMMON PROBLEM FOR KINGS?
PAX ROMANA
Roman Peace
 27 BC- 180 AD
 Expansion and solidification of Roman Empire
 Afforded safety and leisure time inside the
empire

 Some
people talk about a Pax Americana since
World War II
ROMAN ROADS

Romans build a network of sophisticated and
durable roads
 Good
for:
 Trade
 Travel
 Moving
armies around
 Communicating with
provinces
ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF PAX ROMANA
Uniform system of money/currency
 Peace encourages trade and prosperity

 Trade
inside the empire flourished
 Trade with India and China
SOCIAL IMPACTS OF PAX ROMANA
In such a time of peace, stability returned to
social classes
 Renewed emphasis on the family

GLADIATORS

To control the mass or poor in Rome, the
Romans hosted holidays during which
Gladiators and/or exotic wild animals would
fight each other
Coliseum
POLITICAL IMPACTS OF PAX ROMANA
Uniform rule of law
 Developed civil service
 Expanded control of Europe and Mediterranean
world
