Rome: From Republic to Empire.

What was a Republic? ► Think back to when we talked about a Roman Republic ► What was a republic? ► Who ruled?

► For five hundred years Rome was a Republic and thing were good ► But eventually problems starting happening

Problems with the Republic ► 1. Rome needed tax money to run the Republic. ► 2. Elected officials were using their positions to get rich. ► 3. Rome did not have a police force.

Taxes ► To run the republic Rome needed money ► To get money Rome set up tax collectors ► The problem was that the tax collectors were not always fair. They would abuse their power. ► They would charge some people a lot of money and others nothing. ► If you couldn’t pay you could be sold to slavery. People were upset

Elected officials ► In a republic people are elected to make laws for the people. ► In the later days of the Republic wealthy people instead of being elected legally would use their money to buy votes ► They would also take money to make laws. This was illegal but no one stopped it because the ones in charge were rich

Police Force ► Rome was not a safe place because of these issues ► Poor people would steal and kill to get money ► Rich people hired guards that turned into private armies ► These armies fought in the street ► Rome needed a police force but had no money to pay them. ► Rome was a mess

Think? ► What could you do to fix the Republic problem? ► How would you stop the bad tax collectors, leaders, and crime? ► Take moment, discuss with a partner and be prepared to share with the class.

Rome’s Solution ► Some people in Rome thought that the best thing would be to get rid of all the politicians and have one strong leader in charge. ► A strong leader who could fix the government ► One man who they wanted was Julius Caesar.

Julius Caesar ► Julius Caesar was an important general and Roman leader ► During his lifetime, he had held just about every important title in the Roman Republic including consul, tribune of the people, high commander of the army, and high priest. ► During his lifetime, he had held just about every important title in the Roman Republic including consul, tribune of the people, high commander of the army, and high priest. ► He said he could solve Rome’s problems

What did he do ► Julius Caesar marched into Rome with his army ► He took control of the Senate and promised to fix all the problems of the Republic ► The people loved Caesar because his army victories made Rome rich ► They gave him total control of the whole country and called him Dictator for life.

What happened ► After he was named dictator for life the senators of Rome were nervous ► They distrusted Caesar and plotted to do away with him ► Two Senators, Brutus and Cassius lead the other senators in stabbing Caesar to death on March 15

Beginning of an Empire ► After Caesar died his friends formed a group to avenge him ► They killed Brutus and Cassius and took control of Rome ► Eventually Julius Caesar’s adopted son took total control of the country and called himself Emperor Augustus. ► A new age had begun.

How was it different? ► Republic was ruled by two Consuls who were elected ► Senate helped carry out laws and gave advice ► Assembly voted on important matters ► Army was loyal to Rome ► Empire was ruled by an Emperor. Each emperor appointed his own successor. They were not elected ► Senate only gave advice. ► The Emperor made the big decisions ► Army was loyal to the Emperor

► Augustus took the title of Emperor and turned Rome into an Empire ► An Empire is : a government that includes many different peoples and lands under one ruler ► Augustus kicked out the corrupt leader and replaced them with honest men. He made the army strong and used it to expand Rome and keep peace. His time as ruler started the Pax Romana or the peace of Rome.

► After Augustus died he selected a man named Tiberius to be the next Emperor. ► Emperors were not elected.