Download Page C (Section II): From Republic to Empire

Section II: From Republic to Empire
(Pages 132 - 137)
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This section is about:
How conflicts between
military leaders and political
parties led to war in Rome.
How Octavian’s leadership
led to the building of the
Roman Empire and many
years of peace.
The 200 years Rome enjoyed
peace, expansion, and
prosperity.
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Start by reading the “Main
Ideas” on page 132.
We won’t look at most of it
in class, but look at pages 136
and 137 (especially “Life of a
Roman Soldier”).
There started to be some
problems in the Republic of
Rome.
Two tribunes (brothers) tried to
change some laws (to help the
poor), but the nobles wouldn’t
agree to the changes.
One brother was murdered and
the other died in a riot.
Eventually, civil war came to
Rome.
Major Changes for Rome
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The Roman Army started
getting strong.
Marius was elected Consul
(and was also a great
military leader).
He was elected over and
over again - even though he
should have had to wait 10
years in between.
One of his big changes was
with his legions – who he
gave many rewards to.
They ended up being more
loyal to his than they were
to Rome.
A group of 5000 soldiers
Julius Caesar
formed a group (with Pompey and Crassus)
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This “Triumvirate”
was going to try and
control the
government.
Crassus was killed
though – so then
Julius Caesar and
Pompey got into a
struggle for power.
Group of three people who share powers
Caesar took his army and went to
conquer Gaul (France today)
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While he was gone, Pompey
ordered him to disband his
army and come home. Caesar
refused – he knew he’d have
no power without his army.
He eventually came back to
Italy – Pompey and his
supporters went to Greece –
where Caesar’s army found
them and defeated them.
The Roman senate was so
happy with Julius Caesar, they
voted him “dictator for life.”
Julius Caesar’s life: time line
As dictator, Julius Caesar
did many important things
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He improved Roman’s lives.
Created new jobs
Gave more people citizenship
Gave public land to the poor.
Re-organized Rome’s
territories.
Made a new calendar – we call
it the Julian Calendar.
We even have a month called
July.
But everything wasn’t perfect
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Many senators were
worried about Caesar’s
ambition – and that he
was becoming too
powerful.
On March 15th, 44 BC,
two of Caesar's friends,
Brutus and Cassius
assassinated him.
This date is known as
“the Ides of March.”
The Life of Julius Caesar
Horrible Histories: The Assassination of Julius Caesar
Julius Caesar had a grandnephew – Octavian
(18 when Caesar was assassinated)
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Octavian and Marc
Antony (Roman general)
defeated Brutus and
Cassius in a battle in
Greece.
But then, Octavian and
Marc Anthony get in a
struggle for power and
they fought.
Octavian eventually
defeated Marc Antony
(and his “friend”
Cleopatra of Egypt).
Octavian knew it would be a bad
idea to call himself “king”
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He called himself “princeps” –
which means “first citizen.”
He kept the senate (but he
controlled it) and in exchange,
they called him Augustus
(which means “revered”).
His reign brought peace and
stability to Rome.
This time is even called the
Pax Romana (Roman Peace)
The Augustan Age is a golden age of Ancient Rome
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Made the tax system more
fair (set up a census).
Built many new roads
(and kept them safe).
Chased pirates off the
seas.
More trade – even to
India and China.
More building and town
planning.
More impressive art,
poetry, literature.
Luke 2:1: In those days, Caesar
Augustus made a law. It required
that a list be made of everyone in
the whole Roman world…
Augustus did have trouble
finding someone who could
succeed him.
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When Augustus died in 14 AD, his
stepson succeeded him.
Tiberius had a bad personality and was
unpopular.
His successor – Caligula was assassinated
after 4 years.
Both were cruel and brutal leaders.
Next: Claudius – conquered what is now
England.
Then, Nero – who was blamed for a fire
that destroyed much of Rome.
Eventually Titus – who was fairly popular
(and built the colosseum – the largest
arena in the world and the center of
social life in Rome).
From 100 to 200 (AD) Rome had
“Five Good Emperors”
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Below describes this time period (from: “The History of the Decline
and Fall of the Roman Empire”):
“Their united reigns are possibly the only period in history in which
the happiness of a great people was the sole object of government”
(Page 135 in our books)
Horrible Histories: Decimation