Rise of new classes: 1)Optimates – Aristocrats (“Best Men”) – Wanted to keep their privileged status – Controlled Senate 2)Populares – “favoring the people” – Used Plebeian Assembly to weaken Optimates ECONOMIC and SOCIAL CHANGES from Roman Expansion

Rise of new classes: 3)Equites – once formed cavalry – group that developed from Roman expansion – trade, contractors, suppliers for military, public works programs – Wanted more political power equal to that of their financial influence ECONOMIC and SOCIAL CHANGES from Roman Expansion

Rise of new classes: 4)Proletariat – Urban, landless poor (unemployed, ex- soldiers) – Veterans – Helped Rome expand its territory and increase its power and wealth ECONOMIC and SOCIAL CHANGES from Roman Expansion

Proletariat becoming VERY UNSTABLE – Farmland destroyed and too expensive to repair Sold at low, low prices Latifundias developed Used “slave” labor Sold crops at lower prices Import of crops hurt small farmers Government used “Bread and Circuses” Roman Military suffered – Had to own land to be in the military – As Rome was expanding it was needing more soldiers ECONOMIC and SOCIAL CHANGES from Roman Expansion