Transcript From Republic to Empire

From Republic to Empire
SOL 6e,f
Causes of Roman Republic Collapse
• Causes for the decline of the Roman Republic
• Spread of slavery in the agricultural system
• Migration of small farmers into cities and
unemployment
• Civil war over the power of Julius Caesar
• Devaluation of Roman currency; inflation
More than Rome can Chew
• Military conquests abroad– negative
impact on Rome
• Roman republic created for an city, not an
empire
• Wealthy Romans establish farming
estates in provinces
• Large Roman territory is a drain on
resources
• Roman military is needed in other places
• Rome’s wealth depleting
The Republic Collapses
• Economic Problems
– Gap between rich and poor widens as Roman
Republic expands
– Farmers and former soldiers lose jobs/land to large
estates (use of slaves) and become
homeless/unemployed
– Homeless/unemployed move into the city and rely on
the government to support them
– Devaluation of Roman currency leads to inflation
The Republic Collapses
• Economic Problems
– Two tribunes, Tiberius and Gaius, try to help the
poor, but are murdered by Senate-supported mob
– Civil war—conflict between groups within the
same country breaks out between rich and poor
The Republic Collapses
• Military Weakens
– Military becomes less disciplined and disloyal.
– Soldiers recruited from the poor; show loyalty
only to their generals
Republic to Empire
• Julius Caesar Takes Control
– Military leader Julius Caesar is elected consul in
59 B.C.
– Caesar, Crassus, and Pompey form a
Triumvirate—a group of three leaders.
– Military victories give Caesar increasing
popularity and power. (Crassus killed in battle)
– Pompey fears Caesar’s growing power and
challenges him.
– Caesar defeats Pompey’s armies in Greece,
Asia, Spain, and Egypt
– Caesar is named dictator for life in 44 B.C.
Republic to Empire
• Caesar’s Reforms
– Caesar makes reforms: grants wider citizenship,
creates jobs for the poor, gives land to former
soldiers, increases number of Senate members
– Group of senators opposes Caesar and murders
him on March 15, 44 B.C.
Republic to Empire
• Beginning of the Empire
– 43 B.C. Caesar’s supporters take control; become
Second Triumvirate
– Octavian Caesar, Mark Antony, Marcus Lepidus
alliance ends in jealousy and violence
– Octavian forces Lepidus to retire, uses rumors of
Marc Antony’s relationship to stir anger of Romans
– In 31 B.C. Marc Antony and Cleopatra’s forces are
defeated by Octavian at Actium
– Octavian accepts title of Augustus, “exalted one,” and
rules Rome, becomes first Emperor of Rome
Republic to Empire
• Empire: Unified and enlarged, using imperial
authority and the military
• Failure to provide for peaceful succession of
Emperors