Download Roman Empire

From Republic to Empire
Roman Republic Collapses
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CAUSES:
Lower classes discontent
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Breakdown of military order
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Economic Turmoil
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Gap b/t rich and poor increases
Help is Here!
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Two brothers attempt to help Rome’s urban poor
(Tiberius & Gaius Gracchus)
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Proposed reforms:
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Limit size of estates & give land to poor
Outraged many senators (why?) and soon met VIOLENT
deaths
Led to a period of civil war b/t rich and poor
Ineffective Military?
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No longer loyal to Rome
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Generals break away and seize power
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Landless poor recruited as soldiers (why?)
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Rise of Julius Caesar……
Julius Caesar
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Military leader
Formed the Triumvirate that ruled Rome for 10
years (along w/Crassus & Pompey)
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Conquered Gaul (France)=popular w/Romans
Caesar’s new popularity made Pompey jealous
Senate, “Caesar you must disband legions”
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Caesar refuses
Caesar=Dictator
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After winning his campaign against
Pompey, the Senate declared Caesar
DICTATOR
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2 years later, Caesar declares himself
“Dictator for LIFE”
Caesar’s Reforms
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1.
2.
3.
4.
Governed as an Absolute Ruler (total
power)
Reforms:
Roman citizenship granted to ppl in provinces
Expanded Senate (loyalty rewarded)
Created jobs (helped poor)
Increased soldiers pay
Reaction of Other Senators…
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Feared Caesar’s growing popularity
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Tyrant???
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Assassination of Caesar (Marcus Brutus &
Gaius Cassius)
March 15, 44 BC, Caesar stabbed to death
in Senate chamber
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FOR CAESAR!
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Second Triumvirate formed
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Octavian, Mark Antony, and Lepidus (powerful
politician)
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43 BC: took control of Rome

Soon after, triumvirate fell apart (jealousy &
violence)
Augustus is BORN!!

After defeating Antony & Cleopatra,
Octavian becomes the unchallenged ruler
of Rome
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Accepts title of “Augustus” meaning
“Exalted One”

Rome = an empire ruled by 1 man
New Roman Empire
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Rule of Augustus = Pax Romana (Roman
Peace)

Successful empire (why?)
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Very stable & effective government
Success Under Augustus
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Glorified Rome w/elaborate buildings
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Civil service (workers paid to manage
govt’s affairs)
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Postal service
Even after Augustus’ death, the empire
remained stable
Trade in the Empire, AD 200
Slavery In Rome

Were conquered peoples
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Children of slaves were slaves
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City and farm work
Most were treated cruelly
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Men, women, and children
Gladiators
Slave revolts were unsuccessful
Government = Religion?
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Government & religion linked
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Deities were symbols of the state
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Expected to honor gods in public and
private
Entertainment to Control the
Masses
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Gladiator fights & games
Free to the public
Celebrations in the
Roman Colosseum