Imperial Rome Fall of the Republic Rise of the Empire

Fall of the Republic Problems in the Republic: Problems in the Republic: 1. Slavery 2. Overcrowding / unemployment 3. Inflation 4. Civil War

Fall of the Republic Slavery Slavery Rome was overflowing with slaves Rome was overflowing with slaves Taken from conquered Carthage and Gaul Taken from conquered Carthage and Gaul At one time, 1/3 of Rome’s population was slaves At one time, 1/3 of Rome’s population was slaves

Fall of the Republic Rich land owners had huge plantations and used slave labor Rich land owners had huge plantations and used slave labor Poor farmers could not compete Poor farmers could not compete

Fall of the Republic Overcrowding / Unemployment Overcrowding / Unemployment Poor farmers became unemployed Poor farmers became unemployed Moved to cities looking for work Moved to cities looking for work Cities became overcrowded Cities became overcrowded 1/4 th of Rome’s population was unemployed / homeless 1/4 th of Rome’s population was unemployed / homeless

Fall of the Republic Senators Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus propose reforms to help Rome’s poor Senators Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus propose reforms to help Rome’s poor Their ideas threaten the power of the wealthy Their ideas threaten the power of the wealthy Both are assassinated Both are assassinated

Fall of the Republic Inflation Inflation Decline in the value of money and a rise in the price of goods / services Decline in the value of money and a rise in the price of goods / services Roman coins contained less and less silver, and therefore lost value Roman coins contained less and less silver, and therefore lost value

Fall of the Republic Civil War Civil War Slaves and gladiators revolt Slaves and gladiators revolt Ex: Spartacus Ex: Spartacus Roman generals and their supporters fight each other for control of Rome Roman generals and their supporters fight each other for control of Rome

Rise of the Empire The First Triumvirate (59-49 BC) The First Triumvirate (59-49 BC) Three leaders sharing control Three leaders sharing control Crassus Crassus Pompey Pompey Caesar Caesar

Rise of the Empire Crassus – wealthy Roman who bought political power Defeats Spartacus’ revolting gladiators Pompey – popular general Ended piracy in the Mediterranean Caesar – very popular general Conquered Gaul

Rise of the Empire Crassus and Pompey invade the Middle East Crassus and Pompey invade the Middle East Crassus dies and Pompey loses Crassus dies and Pompey loses Caesar invades Gaul Caesar invades Gaul Conquers Gaul and is hailed as a hero Conquers Gaul and is hailed as a hero

Rise of the Empire Pompey and the Senate order Caesar to disband (send home) his army Pompey and the Senate order Caesar to disband (send home) his army This would leave Caesar powerless This would leave Caesar powerless Caesar brings his army to Rome Caesar brings his army to Rome Chases Pompey out Chases Pompey out Takes over as a dictator Takes over as a dictator

Rise of the Empire Julius Caesar Julius Caesar Ruled as dictator from 46 – 44 BC Ruled as dictator from 46 – 44 BC Granted more Romans citizenship Granted more Romans citizenship Expanded the Senate Expanded the Senate Government building programs created jobs for the poor Government building programs created jobs for the poor Increased pay for soldiers Increased pay for soldiers

Rise of the Empire Many senators feared Caesar’s power Many senators feared Caesar’s power March 15 th, 44 BC: Caesar is assassinated by Senators Brutus, Cassius, and others March 15 th, 44 BC: Caesar is assassinated by Senators Brutus, Cassius, and others

Rise of the Empire Octavian Caesar’s nephew and “adopted” son Receives Caesar’s fortune Marc Antony Caesar’s best and favorite general Well-liked by the army Who will be heir to Caesar’s throne?

Octavian vs. Marc Antony

Rise of the Empire Octavian stays safely in Rome Controls Rome’s treasuries Gives no money to Marc Antony Raises an army of his own

Rise of the Empire Marc Antony goes to Egypt Falls in love with Cleopatra Gives Roman territories in Africa to her Octavian declares war on Marc Antony

Rise of the Empire Octavian’s army defeats Marc Antony at Actium Antony and Cleopatra commit suicide Senate names Octavian “Caesar Augustus” He is given absolute power Rome becomes an imperial monarchy

Rise of the Empire Augustus rules from 27 BC to 14 AD Greatly expands the Roman Empire during his rule Begins the “Pax Romana,” a long period of peace in Rome

Pax Romana Pax Romana – roughly two centuries of peace and prosperity under imperial rule Rome expanded and was protected

Pax Romana Rome had both good and bad emperors Bad Emperors All inherited the throne Caligula (37-41 AD) Nero (54-58 AD) Domitian (81-96 AD) Good Emperors All were “adopted” Nerva (96-98 AD) Trajan ( AD) Hadrian (117 – 138 AD) Antonius Pius ( AD) Marcus Aurelius ( AD)

Pax Romana Social Impact Restored order to social classes Patricians Plebeians Slaves

Pax Romana Increased the importance of family ties Encouraged marriage by raising taxes on single men and women Made adultery a crime

Pax Romana Political Impact Created a civil service Police and fire-fighters Developed uniform rule of law

Pax Romana Economic Impact Uniform currency Protected travel / trade on Roman roads