From Republic to Empire

Rome Becomes an Empire

Licinius Crassus 115 BC – 53 BC The First Triumvirate 60 BC - Caesar and two other generals, Gnaeus Pompey and Licinius Crassus, formed the First Triumvirate Julius Caesar 100 - 44 BC Gnaeus Pompey 106 - 48 BC Licinius Crassus 115 BC – 53 BC

Julius Caesar and the Crossing of the Rubicon The First Triumvirate Crassus died; Caesar defeated Pompey in a civil war; named dictator for life in 44 BC Julius Caesar and the Crossing of the Rubicon

The Power Vacuum The legacy of Julius Caesar’s death was the political vacuum that was left after the Ides of March. Caesar’s series of dictatorships and the many titles and honors granted by the Senate had effectively dismantled the mechanism of government. Free elections had not been held since 49BC Whoever was to fill the vacuum would need wealth and a loyal army.

The Second Triumvirate 43 BC - Octavian, Marc Antony, and Lepidus seized power; formed the Second Triumvirate Octavian 63 BC - AD 14 Marc Antony 83 BC – 30 BC Lepidus 90 BC - 13 BC

The Second Triumvirate Lepidus forced out; Antony and Octavian each governed half the empire

The Second Triumvirate 31 BC - Civil war between Octavian and Antony; Octavian defeated Antony and Egypt’s Cleopatra The Battle of Actium

The Second Triumvirate Cleopatra, Antony committed suicide; Octavian controlled Rome; republic ended, beginning a new period in Roman history Antony and Cleopatra

From Octavian to Augustus 27 BC - Senate gave Octavian title of Augustus, “the revered one” Birth name: Gaius Octavius Thurinus Name as Emperor: Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus