Aim: What Problems faced Rome’s Republic?

Rome’s Wealth Brings Problems Most serious problem Growing discontent among lower classes of society and breakdown in military order Economic Turmoil Gap between rich and poor grew wider Rich lived on huge estates Poor were enslaved to work on estates Brother Tiberius and Gaius Attempted to help Rome’s poor Proposed reforms (limiting size of estates) Senators felt threatened and killed them 2

Military Upheaval Generals seized power for themselves Breakdown of once-loyal military Generals seized power for themselves Soldiers fought for pay Owed allegiance to their commanders Possible for commander to takeover with support from troops 3

Julius Caesar Takes Control 60 BCE Joined forces with Crassus and Pompey Elected Consul in 59 BCE Three men dominated Rome as Triumvirate: (Group of three Rulers) 58-50 BCE- Caesar leads military campaigns Most Successful campaign in Gaul Made him popular with Romans Caesar defies Senate to disband Legions 46 BCE- Caesar returns to Rome 44 BCE- Cesar appointed dictator 4