Fall of the Roman Republic World History - Libertyville HS

The Punic Wars First Punic War – takeaway? Second Punic War – takeaway? Third Punic War – takeaway? Overall, how did the Punic Wars reflect or reinforce your understanding of the character of the Roman people? First Punic War – takeaway? Second Punic War – takeaway? Third Punic War – takeaway? Overall, how did the Punic Wars reflect or reinforce your understanding of the character of the Roman people?

Post Punic War Roman Republic Divisions of Citizens – Patricians & Equestrians Patricians & Equestrians held highest offices, ruled the state – City population (Plebeian) Many unemployed; lived on charity and bribes of office holders Passed the time attending shows given by the state, rich people – Country farmers (Plebeian) Peasants, who used to be independent farmers They lost their lands to rich creditors Divisions of Citizens – Patricians & Equestrians Patricians & Equestrians held highest offices, ruled the state – City population (Plebeian) Many unemployed; lived on charity and bribes of office holders Passed the time attending shows given by the state, rich people – Country farmers (Plebeian) Peasants, who used to be independent farmers They lost their lands to rich creditors

Post Punic War Roman Republic Divisions of the People – Subject population of Italy: allies who had no political rights, vote or power – Subjects outside Italy (Sicily, Spain) No power Duty to pay tribute – Slaves: no rights – just service (POWs) Divisions of the People – Subject population of Italy: allies who had no political rights, vote or power – Subjects outside Italy (Sicily, Spain) No power Duty to pay tribute – Slaves: no rights – just service (POWs)

Problems with the Republic #1: Great mass of people had no political rights #2: Voting could only take place in city of Rome (inefficient) #3: Decay of Patriotism – Aristocratic classes were out for themselves – Used state power for their own gain #1: Great mass of people had no political rights #2: Voting could only take place in city of Rome (inefficient) #3: Decay of Patriotism – Aristocratic classes were out for themselves – Used state power for their own gain

Attempts to Reform System Gracchus Brothers – Tiberius and Gaius, each elected Tribune (T in 133 BC, G in 122 BC) – Attempted land reform, extend citizenship to all of Italy Reaction of Patricians? – Assassinate each brother, in turn Gracchus Brothers – Tiberius and Gaius, each elected Tribune (T in 133 BC, G in 122 BC) – Attempted land reform, extend citizenship to all of Italy Reaction of Patricians? – Assassinate each brother, in turn

Attempts to Reform Republic Tiberius Gracchus – Elected tribune in 133 BC (Patrician or Plebian?) – Proposed land, social reforms Limit land ownership to 640 acres If you owned over 640 acres, land would be confiscated and redistributed to poor – Senate reaction Anger, fear vs. Tiberius and the people Tiberius assassinated of Tiberius in 132 BC Tiberius Gracchus – Elected tribune in 133 BC (Patrician or Plebian?) – Proposed land, social reforms Limit land ownership to 640 acres If you owned over 640 acres, land would be confiscated and redistributed to poor – Senate reaction Anger, fear vs. Tiberius and the people Tiberius assassinated of Tiberius in 132 BC

Attempts to Reform Republic Gaius Gracchus – Elected tribune in 122 BC (re- elected 121 BC) – Social reforms Used public money to purchase grain to be re-sold to poor at low prices Proposed full citizenship for all Italians (effect?) – Senate reaction Senate was outraged & cancelled Gaius’ laws Gaius and thousands of his followers were killed during riot against the cancellation Gaius Gracchus – Elected tribune in 122 BC (re- elected 121 BC) – Social reforms Used public money to purchase grain to be re-sold to poor at low prices Proposed full citizenship for all Italians (effect?) – Senate reaction Senate was outraged & cancelled Gaius’ laws Gaius and thousands of his followers were killed during riot against the cancellation

Attempts to Reform Republic Lesson from the Gracchus brothers? – Violence became acceptable tool of statecraft (respect for law declined, esp. amongst rich) – Civil war (87-82 BC) between Patricians, Plebeians occurred: Patricians won – Potential political power of plebeians remained an untapped force (popularity = votes! = government control) Lesson from the Gracchus brothers? – Violence became acceptable tool of statecraft (respect for law declined, esp. amongst rich) – Civil war (87-82 BC) between Patricians, Plebeians occurred: Patricians won – Potential political power of plebeians remained an untapped force (popularity = votes! = government control)

Julius Caesar Very astute politician – Patrician, but saw that political power rested with the people – Fantastic speaker and brilliant general Realized that to take over Republic, one needed three things – Money – Popularity w/ masses Support of Army Very astute politician – Patrician, but saw that political power rested with the people – Fantastic speaker and brilliant general Realized that to take over Republic, one needed three things – Money – Popularity w/ masses Support of Army

Julius Caesar Persuaded Crassus, the richest man in Rome, and Pompey, Rome’s most successful general, to join him in taking over the Republic = First Triumverate What did each man get? – Pompey: recognition of troops – Crassus: more money! – Caesar: military command Persuaded Crassus, the richest man in Rome, and Pompey, Rome’s most successful general, to join him in taking over the Republic = First Triumverate What did each man get? – Pompey: recognition of troops – Crassus: more money! – Caesar: military command

First Triumverate Caesar knew that the way to political power was through military success – Army gave general military power base (loyal troops) – Army gave general wealth (share of loot from conquests) – Successful army gave general public popularity, prestige with the masses Caesar knew that the way to political power was through military success – Army gave general military power base (loyal troops) – Army gave general wealth (share of loot from conquests) – Successful army gave general public popularity, prestige with the masses

Caesar, in Gaul Caesar needed to achieve military success But goal was political – NOT military – power – Needed to conquer somewhere close to Rome – Appearance of threat to Rome so he could “save” the state Chose Gaul (France) – Caesar / army conquered all of France, Belgium – Invaded Britain twice Caesar needed to achieve military success But goal was political – NOT military – power – Needed to conquer somewhere close to Rome – Appearance of threat to Rome so he could “save” the state Chose Gaul (France) – Caesar / army conquered all of France, Belgium – Invaded Britain twice

Caesar, in Gaul What happened in conquered territories? – Caesar allowed self- government of surviving tribes (Client states) – Gauls saw advantages of adopting Roman customs, way of life; protection of armies – “Romanization”: assimilation of outsiders into Roman system – Settlers, colonists followed Caesar’s armies and settled, further “Romanizing” the area Caesar aggressively marketed his success to Roman people (“Commentaries”) What happened in conquered territories? – Caesar allowed self- government of surviving tribes (Client states) – Gauls saw advantages of adopting Roman customs, way of life; protection of armies – “Romanization”: assimilation of outsiders into Roman system – Settlers, colonists followed Caesar’s armies and settled, further “Romanizing” the area Caesar aggressively marketed his success to Roman people (“Commentaries”)

End of First Triumverate Meanwhile, what were 1 st Triumverate members doing? – Caesar fighting in Gaul – Pompey got jealous of Caesar – Crassus got himself killed, trying to lead an army Pompey got Senate to declare Caesar an “enemy of the state” Demanded he give up his army and return to Rome for trial & certain death Why? Afraid of his power, popularity Meanwhile, what were 1 st Triumverate members doing? – Caesar fighting in Gaul – Pompey got jealous of Caesar – Crassus got himself killed, trying to lead an army Pompey got Senate to declare Caesar an “enemy of the state” Demanded he give up his army and return to Rome for trial & certain death Why? Afraid of his power, popularity

Overthrowing the Republic 49 BC: Caesar decided to “Cross the Rubicon” – Traditionally, no armies allowed in Italy unless under control of Senate (avoids military takeover) – Rubicon river = N. border – Thus, “crossing the Rubicon” meant someone committing an irreversible course of action Result? Civil War! 49 BC: Caesar decided to “Cross the Rubicon” – Traditionally, no armies allowed in Italy unless under control of Senate (avoids military takeover) – Rubicon river = N. border – Thus, “crossing the Rubicon” meant someone committing an irreversible course of action Result? Civil War!

Overthrowing the Republic Pompey vs. Caesar – Caesar & Pompey fight; C wins (had him assassinated) Caesar’s dictatorship – Very swift campaign against Parthians (revenge for Crassus’ death) “Veni, vedi, vici” (I came, I saw, I conquered) 46 BC: Returned to Rome where Senate appointed him dictator for 10 years – Elevated Caesar above laws, constitution 44 BC: appointed dictator for life Pompey vs. Caesar – Caesar & Pompey fight; C wins (had him assassinated) Caesar’s dictatorship – Very swift campaign against Parthians (revenge for Crassus’ death) “Veni, vedi, vici” (I came, I saw, I conquered) 46 BC: Returned to Rome where Senate appointed him dictator for 10 years – Elevated Caesar above laws, constitution 44 BC: appointed dictator for life

Dictator Caesar & His Fall Caesar instituted reforms aimed at improving common man’s life Many patrician Romans hated & resented Caesar’s assumption of power March 15, 44 BC – Group of senators assassinate Caesar, in Senate – “Et Tu Brute?” - last words (ID friend as conspirator) Caesar instituted reforms aimed at improving common man’s life Many patrician Romans hated & resented Caesar’s assumption of power March 15, 44 BC – Group of senators assassinate Caesar, in Senate – “Et Tu Brute?” - last words (ID friend as conspirator)