Transcript Republic to Empire PPT

Republic in Crisis
Victory Over Carthage
Brought Incredible Riches
Trade, taxes, lootings
Created Conflict in Roman Society
People suffer taxes, poverty, and war
Latifundia
Social Problems
Latifundia
Huge estates owned by wealthy families
Worked by slaves captured in war
Slave Labor vs. Farmers
Slaves form thirty percent of population
Gap Between Rich and Poor
Self interests replace Roman virtues
Riots result: Spartacus
Attempts at Reform
Gracchus Brothers
Tiberius and Gaius
Distribute land to the poor
Public funds to feed the poor
Reforms
Angered Senate
Street violence: planned by Senators
Gracchus Brothers
Who Should Hold Power?
Senate
Govern as it had in the past
Popular Political Leaders
Weaken the Senate
Establish reforms
Generals
Legions changed: professional armies
Loyalty to commander
Republic to Empire
“Veni, Vedi, Vecci!!”
I came, I saw, I conquered!!
Julius Caesar
The Roman Empire at 44 BC
at the death of Caesar
The Roman Empire in AD 116
The empire at its largest extent
Julius Caesar
Ambitious and Determined
Wants reforms
Wants to advance his political career
Elected Consul after conquering Spain
Expands Roman Power: 59 – 50 B.C.
Uses army to capture Gaul, modern France
Establishes Triumvirate, three (3) Consuls
Roman Conflict
Triumvirate
Pompey (General), Crassus (Rich), Caesar
Pompey: Politician
Dominate politics with Caesar
Jealous of Caesar’s rising fame
Convinces Senate
Caesar is dangerous
Order Caesar’s army to disband
Crossing the Rubicon
Treason
“Crossing the Rubicon”
Caesar defies order
Leads army across Rubicon: attacks Rome
Civil War Results
Crushes Pompey: Beheaded
Sweeps Mediterranean for rebellions
Caesar’s Power
Dictator
Forced Senate to declare him dictator for life
Absolute ruler
Reforms
Packed Senate with his friends
Start to build an Empire
Public Works
Employ jobless, gave land to poor
Senate
Senate Worried
Caesar will try to be King
Must save Republic
Caesar must die
Death of Caesar
Ides of March
March 15
Enemies/friends stab him to death
Twenty-seven times
Power Struggle Results
Who will be in power?