Transcript Power struggle between two groups: 1. Patricians—aristocratic

The
Roman
Empire
The Greeks Shape bronze statues so real they
seem to breathe,
And carve cold marble until it almost comes to
life.
The Greeks compose great orations, and measure
The heavens so well they can predict the rising
of the stars.
But you, Romans, remember your great arts:
To govern the peoples with authority,
To establish peace under the rule of law,
To conquer the mighty, and show them,
mercy once they are conquered.
-Aeneid VI, 847-853
The
Roman
Empire
I.
Beginnings of Roman
Civilization: as Greek
civilization began to decline,
Roman civilization was
developing and increasing its
power.
II. Politics:
1. Republic—form of
government in which power
rests with citizens who have
the right to vote to select their
leaders (citizens = free born
males)
B. Power struggle between two
groups:
1. Patricians—aristocratic
landowners who held most
of the power.
2. Plebeians—the common farmers,
artisans and merchants who made
up the majority of the population
a. Plebeians were banned from
the most important political
positions by law
3. Tribunes—representatives
elected by plebeians to
protect their rights
C. Consuls—two officials who
commanded the army and
directed the government
1. Elected for one year
D. Senate—300 members
chosen from aristocracy
who controlled foreign and
financial policies
III. Military: all citizens were
expected to serve in the army
A. Legion—Roman
military unit—
5,000 skilled
Roman soldiers
B. Their skills play an
important role in Rome’s
rise to greatness
1. The Punic Wars—Rome won war
with Carthage and gained control
of the Mediterranean Sea from
Anatolia (Turkey) to Spain
IV. Rapid growth of Rome creates
problems: increasing wealth
and expanding empire
brought many problems:
A. Problems:
1. Increasing unemployment
2. Corruption of wealthy and
powerful
3. Growing gap between rich
and poor
a. RESULT = Civil War—
conflict between groups
within the same country
V. Julius Caesar:
strong leader who
is appointed
absolute ruler
(total power) 44
B.C. and succeeds
in bringing order
to Rome
A.
Caesars Reforms:
1. Granted citizenship to many
people in the provinces
2. Expanded the Senate
3. Created jobs through
construction of
new public
buildings
4. Increased pay
for soldiers
B.
March 15, 44 B.C.—Ides of
March—Resentment over
Caesar’s absolute power ended
when Marcus Brutus and Gaius
Cassius assassinated
Caesar by stabbing
him in the Senate
chamber
1.
Brutus and Cassius wanted to
protect the Republic
that Caesar threatened
with his dictatorship
Obituary of Caesar:
1. Who was he?
2. How did he die?
3. Why did Brutus and Cassius
kill him?
4. What did he accomplish
in his lifetime?
*Use page 147 to help
with additional
information!