From Republic to Empire Copyright © Clara Kim 2007. All rights reserved.

After the Punic Wars Increasing wealth and expanding empire brought many problems The most serious problem was the widening gap between the rich and the poor.

Thousands of slaves were captured and made to work on Latifundias = huge estates. 1

2 Thousands of Soldiers returned from war without jobs or homes. They moved to cities like Rome to find work. They became part of the poor class. 2

Two Brothers Tiberius and Gracchus tried to help Rome’s poor by proposing to: Give land to the poor Limit the size of estates (latifundias) The senators felt threatened and the two brothers were murdered

Rich Romans became corrupt with money and luxury and tensions between the rich and the poor caused a civil war! 3

Julius Caesar Eventually an ambitious and daring leader emerged to bring order to Rome

Triumvirate The First Triumvirate = Julius Caesar, Crassus and Pompey Triumvirate = a group of three leaders working together in government He conquered all of Gaul in France

Caesar’s Reforms He became the absolute ruler of Rome = he had total power. He expanded the Senate by adding his friends Created jobs for the poor and expanded land Raised pay for soldiers

Caesar’s Assassination

Why did Julius Caesar have enemies among the rich and powerful? military victories = very popular with the Romans. His soldiers were very loyal to their leader so Senate was afraid of his popularity and power. Pompey and some senators tried to take over power and Caesar defeated Pompey. After the civil war, Caesar was given more power. Senators didn't trust anyone who wanted to be a dictator and take their power. They thought he was trying to end the Republic. Caesar tried to get control of the senate by adding more senators who were loyal to him. Therefore, the senators felt their power was slipping even further. He granted citizenship to many Greeks. This made many Roman citizens angry.

Rise of Imperial Rome Octavian = adopted son of Caesar defeats Mark Antony (Caesar’s best general Accepts title of Augustus = “exalted one” and becomes Rome’s first Emperor. During his rule Rome enters a time of peace and prosperity known as the Pax Romana or “Roman Peace”

Pictures Cited Slide 2 – http://www.crystalinks.com/punicwars.jpg