The Decline of the Republic After the 3rd Punic War, many problems occurred in Rome Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus wanted to give land and power to Plebeians Patricians and the Senate vetoed their ideas The Senate had both men assassinated Plebeians rose up against the Patricians

The Decline of the Republic Roman generals like Marius and Sulla fought for the Plebians and granted them the right to join the army without owning land Soldiers gave their loyalty to their generals and not to Rome One general who rose to power was Caesar He and two other generals, Pompey and Crassus, formed the first triumvirate, and Rome was led by 3 consuls instead of 2.

The First Triumvirate Caesar Pompey Crassus

Caesar Caesar conquered Gaul (today its France) from 58- 51 BCE He was powerful because the Plebeians and the army loved him. In 49 BCE, he brought his armies to Rome and Civil War broke out between him and Pompey. Caesar became dictator of Rome. After defeating Pompey, Caesar became dictator for life in 48 BCE. The Senate realized Caesar had made himself king and he was assassinated by the Senate on March 15, 44BCE

The Decline of the Republic After Caesar’s death, the Second Triumvirate was formed. Mark Anthony: A general in Caesar’s army Octavian: Caesar’s nephew and adopted son Marcus Lepidus: Another general in Caesar’s army All three wanted complete power and civil war broke out again. Octavian’s armies defeated both men and he was the sole ruler of Rome. Octavian was named the first emperor of Rome and was given the title of Augustus.

The Decline of the Republic

Map of Rome, 44 BCE