From Republic to Empire Section 2 From Republic to Empire

Rome Grows Through Conquest Rome’s conquest around Mediterranean brings it into conflict with Carthage Carthage had an empire stretching across North Africa Punic Wars > 3 Wars > Rome vs. Carthage 1st Punic War > Rome gains Sicily, Corsica, & Sardinia 2nd Punic War > Hannibal of Carthage invades Italian peninsula from North Romans eventually force him to return to Carthage and protect his homeland He is then defeated 3rd Punic War > Carthage completely destroyed Romans committed to policy of imperialism Roman power stretched from Spain to Egypt Wealth from abroad brought wealth at home Latifundia > huge estates with slaves working Farmers no longer could compete Huge gap between rich and poor

Attempt at Reform Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus (brothers) call for reform State must distribute land to poor farmers Public funds to buy grain for the poor Rest of senate displeased and see brothers as a threat Brothers are murdered through waves of street violence Senate behind the murders

The Roman Republic Declines Rome plunges into civil war Who should hold power? Julius Caesar arises Ambitious military commander Famous from success on battlefield Pompey and Senate want Caesar to disband his army > he refuses > civil war again Returns to Rome and becomes dictator Caesar makes reforms Program of public works Expands govt. Grants more Roman citizenship Introduces new calendar > later named Julian calendar Caesar is murdered Enemies feared he would make himself king Stabbed him to death when he returned to Senate Rome plunges into another series of civil war Octavian (Caesar’s grandnephew) vs. Mark Anthony (Caesar’s chief general) Octavian wins

The Age of Roman Empire Dawns Octavian gains title of Augustus Republic ends under him > Rome becomes an empire Senate still in place > civil service system > earn your position in govt. Census taken for tax purposes Postal service est. System of public works Augustus’ successors > good and bad Caligula and Nero > evil and insane Hadrian > good > Codified Roman Law Marcus Aurelius > loved philosophy > Plato’s philosopher king in a sense Pax Romana > period of peace from Augustus to Marcus Aurelius Roman rule brought peace, order, unity, and prosperity to their conquered lands

Distraction of Entertainment Circus Maximus Large racecourse with chariots Gladiator contests were the most popular These amusements were a way to pacify the city’s restless mobs