 Division between the Roman Classes  Spread of Slavery controlling the agricultural areas  Migration into the cities  High Unemployment  Inflation, the Devaluing of Currency  Civil War & Julius Caesar

 As Rome grew, the aristocrats grew richer, and the poor grew poorer  The rich lived on large estates (or farms) where up to thousands of slaves worked  Called latifundia

 Slaves in Rome were often conquered people  Slavery was not based on race  Slaves had to work on the large estates called latifundia  Slaves made up 1/3 the population

 Small farmers could not compete with these large estates  Many were retired soldiers  Some small farmers sold their farms and worked for the aristocrats  Many quit farming and moved to the city to find work

 To add to the troubles, the Romans created too much currency.  Devalued their Currency  Prices of goods and services increased while wages (pay) stayed the same  Called inflation

PLEBEIANS SEEK AID, REFORM FAILS By using slaves for labor, Roman plebeians found little opportunity for jobs in the countryside of the city - By using slaves for labor, Roman plebeians found little opportunity for jobs in the countryside of the city. - In huge numbers, Romans flock to the city of Rome itself. - All they found were other unemployed people. - Joined together, many form angry mobs. - Many are only able to find jobs working for politicians as hired thugs. - These thugs become privately owned street gangs. - The Gracchus Brothers - Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus – elected Tribunes 144 BC, - In 133 BC and again in 144 BC, they call for reforms to the latifundia system. - Their reform ideas angered many wealthy senators, who had them killed in gang street violence.

 The most powerful politicians (Patricians) are also the most powerful generals  These generals started to recruit and pay their own armies from the poor people The armies become loyal to the general, not the Republic  Effect : The armies become loyal to the general, not the Republic

THE RISE OF CAESAR -W-With the plebeians angry at their current state, powerful generals quickly gain the loyalty of the legions. -F-For a number of years, t tt the Senate struggles with these powerful generals (many are consuls) who threaten the existence of the Republic with their power. -E-Eventually, power becomes split between three men. -J-J-J-Julius Caesar, consul -P-P-P-Pompey “Magnus” (Pompey “The Great”), consul -C-C-C-Crassus, retired consul - Calling themselves, in s ss secret, t tt the Triumvirate, they plan to split the rule of Rome between them. -E-Each of the men seeks a base of power from which to rule. -P-Pompey, having been a successful general for many years, sets up i ii in Rome itself. -J-Julius Caesar conquers the land called G GG Gaul (modern France), making him extremely rich. -C-C-C-Crassus attempts to conquer P PP Parthia, in Asia Minor, but is killed in battle.

 Brilliant general  Conquered Gaul (France) for Rome  Fought dedicated to him and not the Republic  Fought with his men, they were dedicated to him and not the Republic

They are known as the 1 st Triumvirate (rule by 3)  Caesar teamed up with Crassus and Pompey to dominate the Republic as the First Triumvirate  The Roman Senate worried that Caesar was becoming too popular and powerful  They ordered him to disband his army and return to Rome Caesar PompeyCrassus

 Caesar defied the order and marched his men across the Rubicon River, and into Rome  Defeated other members of the triumvirate  Took power and was named dictator for life  Ruled with total power

THE RULE (AND DEATH) OF JULIUS CAESAR Caesar’s Reforms of Roman Government public works employ the jobless - Created a public works program to employ the jobless citizens of Rome and gave land to his soldiers and the poor. Julian Calendar -Introduced the Julian Calendar, which he adapted from the Egyptians granted Roman citizenship - He granted Roman citizenship to more people, many coming from other Italian tribes. (ie- not the Latins). patricians and Senators would-be king Still, many of the patricians and Senators of Rome hated Caesar and saw him as another would-be king. TYRANT.  Some considered him a TYRANT.

THE RULE (AND DEATH) OF JULIUS CAESAR Caesar’s Reforms of Roman Government IDES OF MARCH - To save what they saw as a crumbling republic, a small group of Senators, led by Marcus Brutus, assassinate Caesar in the Senate on March 15, 44 BC. Known as the IDES OF MARCH He is stabbed 23 times. It was said his last act in life was to try and cover his face with his toga so that no one would see his face as he died.

 Expanded citizenship to provinces  Introduced the Julian Calendar, which he adapted from the Egyptians  Created jobs by building government buildings  Increased soldiers’ pay  Very popular with the people

 Caesar’s nephew and adopted son  Very shrewd politician  After Caesar’s assassination, Rome broke into civil war.  Octavian emerged as one of the most powerful Romans

 Octavian teamed up with Lepidus and Marc Antony to defeat Caesar’s enemies and take control of the Republic  Eventually Octavian became the most powerful, defeating Antony and his Egyptian ally Cleopatra. (Antony and Cleopatra then committed suicide together). He then forced Lepidus into exile.

 When Augustus defeated Antony, he became Rome‘s first emperor  Maintained power through control of the army and through favors  While the institutions of the republic remained, they had little real power

 Roman Peace  27 BC- 180 AD  Expansion and solidification of Roman Empire  Afforded safety and leisure time inside the empire  Some people talk about a Pax Americana since World War II

 Romans build a network of sophisticated and durable roads  Good for:  Trade  Travel  Moving armies around  Communicating with provinces

 Uniform system of money/currency  Peace encourages trade and prosperity  Trade inside the empire flourished  Trade with India and China

 In such a time of peace, stability returned to social classes  Renewed emphasis on the family

 To control the mass or poor in Rome, the Romans hosted holidays during which Gladiators and/or exotic wild animals would fight each other Coliseum

 Uniform rule of law  Developed civil service  Expanded control of Europe and Mediterranean world