Transcript The Fall of the Republic


In the 100’s B.C. farmers were sinking
into poverty and debt, because many of
them had been unable to farm. This was
due to Rome’s wars. Others suffered
damage due to Hannibal’s invasion of Italy.

Faced with debts they could not pay off
many famers sold their land and headed
to the city for work, which was hard to
find. 

Military leader Marius became a consul in 107
B.C. , he began to recruit soldiers from the
poor—in return for their service he paid them
wages and promised them land

Felt loyal to general not Roman Republic since
they are now paid professional soldiers

In 82 B.C a general Sulla went against Marius by
driving his enemies out and making himself a
dictator
Weakens Council of
Plebeians and
strengthened Senate
Sulla steps down
from office –
hoping the Roman
Republic come
heal itself
After he
retires, Rome
is plunged into
an era of civil
wars that last
for the 50
years

In 60 B.C. Julius Caesar, Pompey, and
Crassus formed the First Triumvirate to
rule Rome (a political alliance of 3 people)
Crassus
Caesar
Pompey
• Syria
• Was killed in
battle in 53
B.C.
• Gaul (modern
France)
• Hero to Rome’s
lower classes
• Senate ordered
to give up army
and come
home
• Spain
• 53 B.C.
Senate
decides he
should
return to
Italy and
rule alone

Caesar decides to hold onto 5,000 loyal soldiers,
& march to Italy crossing Rubicon (river at a
command center). He knew there would be no
return. He was starting a civil war.

Pompey tried to stop Caesar.
Caesar drove Pompey’s forces
from Italy then destroyed his
army in Greece in 48 B.C.
44 B.C he was
declared the
dictator of Rome
His Enemies feared
that Caesar wanted
to be King
Led by Caesar’s
friends, Brutus and
Cassius, his
opponents plot to kill
him
He filled the
Senate with new
members who
were loyal to him
His Supporters
believed he was
strong leader who
brought peace and
order to Rome
Caesar ignored
famous warning
“beware the Ides of
March”
(March 15)
Created a new
calendar 12 months,
365 days, and a leap
year (Julian calendar)
March 15th, 44 B.C
Caesar was
stabbed to death
by Brutus and 59
other senators
He started new
colonies to provide
land for Rome’s
jobless people