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Fall of the Roman Republic World History - Libertyville HS Post Punic War Roman Republic • Divisions of Citizens – Patricians & Equestrians • Patricians & Equestrians held highest offices, ruled the state – City population (Plebeian) • Many unemployed; lived on charity and bribes of office holders • Passed the time attending shows given by the state, rich people – Country farmers (Plebeian) • Peasants, who used to be independent farmers • They lost their lands to rich creditors Post Punic War Roman Republic • Divisions of the People – Subject population of Italy: allies who had no political rights, vote or power – Subjects outside Italy (Sicily, Spain) • No power • Duty to pay tribute – Slaves: no rights – just service (POWs) Problems with the Republic • #1: Great mass of people had no political rights • #2: Voting could only take place in city of Rome (inefficient) • #3: Decay of Patriotism – Aristocratic classes were out for themselves – Used state power for their own gain Attempts to Reform System • Gracchus Brothers – Tiberius and Gaius, each elected Tribune (T in 133 BC, G in 122 BC) – Attempted land reform, extend citizenship to all of Italy • Reaction of Patricians? – Assassinate each brother, in turn Attempts to Reform Republic • Lesson from the Gracchus brothers? – Violence became acceptable tool of statecraft (respect for law declined, esp. amongst rich) – Civil war (87-82 BC) between Patricians, Plebeians occurred: Patricians won – Potential political power of plebeians remained an untapped force (popularity = votes! = government control) Julius Caesar • Very astute politician – Patrician, but saw that political power rested with the people – Fantastic speaker and brilliant general • Realized that to take over Republic, one needed three things – Money – Popularity w/ masses Support of Army Julius Caesar • Persuaded Crassus, the richest man in Rome, and Pompey, Rome’s most successful general, to join him in taking over the Republic = First Triumverate • What did each man get? – Pompey: recognition of troops – Crassus: more money! – Caesar: military command First Triumverate • Caesar knew that the way to political power was through military success – Army gave general military power base (loyal troops) – Army gave general wealth (share of loot from conquests) – Successful army gave general public popularity, prestige with the masses Caesar, in Gaul • Caesar needed to achieve military success • But goal was political – NOT military – power – Needed to conquer somewhere close to Rome – Appearance of threat to Rome so he could “save” the state • Chose Gaul (France) – Caesar / army conquered all of France, Belgium – Invaded Britain twice Caesar, in Gaul • What happened in conquered territories? – Caesar allowed selfgovernment of surviving tribes (Client states) – Gauls saw advantages of adopting Roman customs, way of life; protection of armies – “Romanization”: assimilation of outsiders into Roman system – Settlers, colonists followed Caesar’s armies and settled, further “Romanizing” the area • Caesar aggressively marketed his success to Roman people (“Commentaries”) End of First Triumverate • Meanwhile, what were 1st Triumverate members doing? – Caesar fighting in Gaul – Pompey got jealous of Caesar – Crassus got himself killed, trying to lead an army • Pompey got Senate to declare Caesar an “enemy of the state” • Demanded he give up his army and return to Rome for trial & certain death • Why? Afraid of his power, popularity Overthrowing the Republic • 49 BC: Caesar decided to “Cross the Rubicon” – Traditionally, no armies allowed in Italy unless under control of Senate (avoids military takeover) – Rubicon river = N. border – Thus, “crossing the Rubicon” meant someone committing an irreversible course of action • Result? Civil War! Overthrowing the Republic • Pompey vs. Caesar – Caesar & Pompey fight; C wins (had him assassinated) • Caesar’s dictatorship – Very swift campaign against Parthians (revenge for Crassus’ death) • “Veni, vedi, vici” (I came, I saw, I conquered) • 46 BC: Returned to Rome where Senate appointed him dictator for 10 years – Elevated Caesar above laws, constitution • 44 BC: appointed dictator for life Dictator Caesar & His Fall • Caesar instituted reforms aimed at improving common man’s life • Many patrician Romans hated & resented Caesar’s assumption of power • March 15, 44 BC – Group of senators assassinate Caesar, in Senate – “Et Tu Brute?” - last words (ID friend as conspirator)