Download Warm Up # 17A -- Roman Republic to Empire - British

Name _____________________________ Class _________________ Date __________________
Rome and Early Christianity
Section 2
MAIN IDEA
Governmental and social problems led to the end of the Roman Republic and the
creation of a new form of government.
Key Terms and People
Gracchi Two brothers, Tiberius Gracchus and Gaius, who tried to redistribute land to
small farmers
Gaius Marius a talented general who, as consul, allowed anyone to join the army
Lucius Cornelius Sulla a general who became consul in 88 BC and later dictator
Julius Caesar helped end the Republic and became dictator of Rome in 44 BC
triumvirate the rule of three men
Augustus a title of honor given to Octavia in 27 BC, meaning “the revered one”
Pax Romana the Roman Peace, which lasted from 27 BC to AD 180
Taking Notes
As you read the summary, make a list of major events in Rome's change
from a republic to an empire. Use a graphic organizer like the one below to
record key points.
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Rome and Early Christianity
Section 2
Section Summary
PROBLEMS IN THE LATE REPUBLIC
By the mid-100s BC, Rome had no rival anywhere in
the Mediterranean world. However, the task of
running a vast empire and the tension growing
between social classes began to cause problems for
the Romans. In 133 BC Tiberius Gracchus and his
brother Gauis, known as the Gracchi, were murdered
at the Senate’s urging after planning to distribute
public land to unemployed ex-soldiers.
In 107 BC the social unrest reached a new level.
When General Gaius Marius became consul, he
changed the rule about soldiers having to own
property to join the army. Poor people with hopes of
gaining plunder through war joined the army. The
army then became a private force devoted to Marius,
not Rome itself. In 90 BC, Rome's allies wanted to
obtain Roman citizenship, but the Senate refused. This
led to the Social War. In the end the rebels were
defeated, but the Senate granted them citizenship.
In 88 BC General Lucius Cornelius Sulla became
consul. Marius and his supporters did not want Sulla
to command the military, as earlier consuls had. A
civil war began. Sulla won and became dictator,
executing all those who had opposed him. He paved
the way for major changes in Rome's government.
ROME BECOMES AN EMPIRE
Within a generation of Sulla's death, the old Republic
was practically gone. In 60 BC Julius Caesar, Gnaeus
Pompey, and Licinius Crassus dominated the Roman
state. Their rule became known as the First
Triumvirate, or rule of three men. After Crassus's
death, Caesar defeated Pompey and took total control
of Rome. In 44 BC he became dictator for life.
Caesar was murdered by a group of senators in a
failed attempt to save the Republic. However, in
43 BC, the Second Triumvirate took power. Its
members were Caesar's adopted son, Octavian, the
officer Marc Antony, and the high priest Lepidus.
Lepidus was pushed aside so that Antony and
Octavian could each rule half of the empire. In time,
civil war broke out between Antony and Octavian.
Why were the Gracchi
murdered?
_______________________
_______________________
Underline the names of two
Roman generals that
became consuls.
Underline the definition of
triumvirate. List the three
rulers of the Second
Triumvirate.
_______________________
_______________________
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Rome and Early Christianity
Section 2
Octavian defeated Antony and his ally, Queen
Cleopatra of Egypt, in 31 BC. When he took control
of the empire, a new period in Roman history began.
Octavian created a new political order known as the
Principate. In 27 BC the Senate gave Octavian a title
of honor: Augustus, or “the revered one,” the name
by which he is still known today. Augustus remained
the head of the state for more than 40 years. He took
special care of Rome, initiated a vast building
program, and presided over moral and religious
reforms. Great writers such as the poet Virgil
flourished in the Augustan Age.
Augustus died in AD 41, and for the next 54 years
relatives of Julius Caesar, called the Julio-Claudian
Emperors, ruled Rome. The abilities of these emperors
varied widely. After AD 68, a series of emperors
known as the Flavians took control of Rome and
reestablished order. After the Flavians came a dynasty
of five leaders known as the Good Emperors. Most of
them were from the provinces, rather than from Rome.
During their rule, the empire reached its largest size
and built fortifications against invaders.
THE PAX ROMANA
The period from the beginning of Augustus's reign in
27 BC until the death of Marcus Aurelius in AD 180
is often called the Pax Romana—the Roman Peace.
Stable government, law, widespread trade, and an
extensive network of roads helped the Romans build
their empire and maintain peace.
The Roman government was the strongest force in
holding the empire together. The Roman Empire was
divided into provinces with governors appointed from
Rome. Through this provincial organization, the
empire helped all Mediterranean cities become more
alike, complete with local senates and magistrates.
The stable system of Roman law also unified the
empire. With few exceptions, the same laws applied to
everyone in the empire. The empire also provided
many opportunities for trade because of two factors:
its many Mediterranean settlements and its extensive
road network. However, most roads were used for
military purposes, while the majority of goods were
shipped by sea.
Which Roman leader was
given the title Augustus?
_______________________
What aspects of the Pax
Romana helped the
Romans build the empire
and maintain peace?
_______________________
_______________________
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Original content Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. Additions and changes to the original content are the responsibility of the instructor.
Full Survey Chapter 6
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