The Roman Empire

The Greeks Shape bronze statues so real they seem to breathe, And carve cold marble until it almost comes to life. The Greeks compose great orations, and measure The heavens so well they can predict the rising of the stars. But you, Romans, remember your great arts: To govern the peoples with authority, To establish peace under the rule of law, To conquer the mighty, and show them, mercy once they are conquered. -Aeneid VI, 847-853

Greeks Romans

The Roman Empire

Beginnings of Roman Civilization: as Greek civilization began to decline, Roman civilization was developing and increasing its power.

Politics: 1. Republic—form of government in which power rests with citizens who have the right to vote to select their leaders (citizens = free born males)

Power struggle between two groups: 1 Power struggle between two groups: 1. Patricians—aristocratic landowners who held most of the power.

Plebeians—the common farmers, artisans and merchants who made up the majority of the population a. Plebeians were banned from the most important political positions by law

3. Tribunes—representatives elected by plebeians to protect their rights

Consuls—two officials who commanded the army and directed the government 1. Elected for one year

D. Senate—300 members chosen from aristocracy who controlled foreign and financial policies

Military: all citizens were expected to serve in the army A Military: all citizens were expected to serve in the army A. Legion—Roman military unit— 5,000 skilled Roman soldiers

Their skills play an important role in Rome’s rise to greatness

1. The Punic Wars—Rome won war with Carthage and gained control of the Mediterranean Sea from Anatolia (Turkey) to Spain

Rapid growth of Rome creates problems: increasing wealth and expanding empire brought many problems:

Problems: 1. Increasing unemployment 2. Corruption of wealthy and Problems: 1. Increasing unemployment 2. Corruption of wealthy and powerful 3. Growing gap between rich and poor

a. RESULT = Civil War—conflict between groups within the same country

V. Julius Caesar: strong leader who is appointed absolute ruler (total power) 44 B.C. and succeeds in bringing order to Rome

Caesars Reforms: 1. Granted citizenship to many people in the provinces 2. Expanded the Senate 3. Created jobs through construction of new public buildings 4. Increased pay for soldiers

March 15, 44 B.C.—Ides of March—Resentment over Caesar’s absolute power ended when Marcus Brutus and Gaius Cassius assassinated Caesar by stabbing him in the Senate chamber

Brutus and Cassius wanted to protect the Republic that Caesar threatened with his dictatorship

Obituary of Caesar: 1. Who was he. 2. How did he die. 3 Obituary of Caesar: 1. Who was he? 2. How did he die? 3. Why did Brutus and Cassius kill him? 4. What did he accomplish in his lifetime? *Use page 147 to help with additional information!