Get Ready to Read Section Overview The Fall of the Republic This section describes the events that led to the end of the Roman Republic.

Get Ready to Read (cont.) The Fall of the Republic Get Ready to Read (cont.) Focusing on the Main Ideas The use of enslaved labor hurt farmers, increased poverty and corruption, and brought the army into politics. Military hero Julius Caesar seized power and made reforms. The Roman Republic, weakened by civil wars, became an empire under Augustus.

Get Ready to Read (cont.) Locating Places The Fall of the Republic Get Ready to Read (cont.) Locating Places Rubicon (ROO·bih·KAHN) Actium (AK·shee·uhm) Meeting People Julius Caesar (jool·yuhs SEE·zuhr) Octavian (ahk·TAY·vee·uhn) Antony (AN·tuh·nee) Cicero (SIH·suh·ROH) Augustus (aw·GUHS·tuhs)

Get Ready to Read (cont.) The Fall of the Republic Get Ready to Read (cont.) Building Your Vocabulary latifundia (LA·tuh·FUHN·dee·uh) triumvirate (try·UHM·vuh·ruht) Reading Strategy Finding the Main Idea Complete a chart like the one on page 277 of your textbook to identify the main ideas of Section 3 and supporting details.

Trouble in the Republic The Fall of the Republic Trouble in the Republic The gap between the rich patricians and the poor plebeians grew, and farmers especially suffered. Latifunda were large farming estates created when wealthy Romans bought small farms. Farmers whose land had been bought traveled to cities to try to find jobs. (pages 278–279)

Trouble in the Republic (cont.) The Fall of the Republic Trouble in the Republic (cont.) Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus were two wealthy brothers who tried to reform government. They were killed. Marius, a former military leader, was appointed counsel and promised land to poor men if they became soldiers. Sulla drove Marius out of Rome, declared himself dictator, and spent three years reforming government before resigning from office. (pages 278–279)

The Fall of the Republic What happened after Sulla stepped down from office? Men who saw Sulla gain power by using an army decided to follow the same path, and civil wars broke out.

Julius Caesar The Fall of the Republic A triumvirate is a political alliance of three people. Julius Caesar, Crassus, and Pompey formed a triumvirate after Sulla left office. (pages 280–281)

Julius Caesar (cont.) The Fall of the Republic Julius Caesar marched on Rome and defeated Pompey’s forces after Crassus died in battle. Caesar declared himself dictator of Rome for life and made many changes to Rome. The Julian calendar was created during Caesar’s rule. (pages 280–281)

Julius Caesar (cont.) The Fall of the Republic This calendar was changed slightly in A.D. 1582, but is basically still in use today. Caesar had many enemies as well as supporters. His enemies plotted to kill him and succeeded on March 15, called the “Ides of March.” (pages 280–281)

The Fall of the Republic What is the origin of the phrase “crossing the Rubicon” and what does it mean? The phrase refers to Caesar’s return to Italy. By crossing the Rubicon, Caesar knew he would begin a civil war and that he would either be victorious or be destroyed. Today it means passing a point of no return.

Rome Becomes an Empire The Fall of the Republic Octavian was Caesar’s grandnephew, who had inherited Caesar’s wealth. Antony and Lepidus were two of Caesar’s top generals. Octavian, Antony, and Lepidus formed the Second Triumvirate, although the triumvirate began to quarrel immediately. Antony fell in love with Cleopatra VII and formed an alliance with her. (pages 282–283)

Rome Becomes an Empire (cont.) The Fall of the Republic Rome Becomes an Empire (cont.) Octavian declared war on Antony to keep him from taking over the republic. Octavian defeated Antony and Cleopatra’s forces at the Battle of Actium. (pages 282–283)

Rome Becomes an Empire (cont.) The Fall of the Republic Rome Becomes an Empire (cont.) Cicero was a political leader, writer, and public speaker who favored representative government and supported Octavian. Octavian restored the republic with some reforms and took the title Augustus, meaning “revered one.” This began the Roman Empire. (pages 282–283)

The Fall of the Republic How was Octavian like Caesar? How was he different? Like Caesar, Octavian declared himself ruler for life. However, he also knew that many people favored a republic. Octavian reformed government so that a Senate with limited power existed while he remained in charge.

The Fall of the Republic What is a triumvirate? a political alliance of three people

The Fall of the Republic Who was Cicero, and how did he influence the writers of the United States Constitution? Cicero was a political leader whose ideas on a representative government with limited powers influenced the U.S. Constitution.

The Fall of the Republic Summarize What reforms did the Gracchus brothers suggest? The Gracchus brothers wanted the government to take back public land and give it to landless farmers. Landholding senators opposed their proposals.

The Fall of the Republic Analyze What was the “bread and circuses” policy, and how did Roman politicians benefit from it? The “bread and circuses” policy was the use of cheap food and free entertainment to win support from the poor.

The Fall of the Republic Analyze What reforms did Julius Caesar put in place that increased his popularity with poor and working-class Romans? Caesar provided land for the poor and created new jobs. He also ordered landholders to hire more free workers.

The Fall of the Republic Persuasive Writing Imagine you are a Roman citizen. Decide whether you would have been for or against Julius Caesar’s rise to power and his reforms. Then write a newspaper editorial explaining your views. Be sure to include facts to support your opinions. Your editorial should include facts to support your opinions.

The Fall of the Republic Describe the transition from the Roman Republic to the Roman Empire.