The Fall of the Republic 8.3

I. Trouble in the Republic The gap between the rich patricians and the poor plebeians grew, and farmers especially suffered. What were the Latifunda? Farmers whose land had been bought traveled to cities to find jobs. Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus were two wealthy brothers who tried to reform government.

Marius, a former military leader, was appointed consul and promised land to poor men if they became soldiers. Sulla drove Marius out of Rome, declared himself dictator, and spent 3 years reforming government before resigning from office.

II. Julius Caesar Julius Caesar, Crassus, and Pompey formed a Triumvirate after Sulla left office. 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. Caesar was assassinated one the “Ides of March.”

III. Rome Becomes an Empire Octavian was Caesar’s grandnephew, who had inherited Caesar’s wealth. Antony and Lepidus were two of Caesar’s top generals. Octavian, Antony, Lepidus formed the Second Triumvirate, but there were conflicts. Antony fell in love with Cleopatra VII and formed an alliance with her.

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. 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. This began the Roman Empire.