1. Aim: What Problems faced Rome’s Republic?

2. Rome’s Wealth Brings Problems
Most serious problem
Growing discontent among lower classes of society and breakdown in military order
Economic Turmoil
Gap between rich and poor grew wider
Rich lived on huge estates
Poor were enslaved to work on estates
Brother Tiberius and Gaius
Attempted to help Rome’s poor
Proposed reforms (limiting size of estates)
Senators felt threatened and killed them 2

3. Military Upheaval Generals seized power for themselves
Breakdown of once-loyal military
Generals seized power for themselves
Soldiers fought for pay
Owed allegiance to their commanders
Possible for commander to takeover with support from troops 3

4. Julius Caesar Takes Control
60 BCE
Joined forces with Crassus and Pompey
Elected Consul in 59 BCE
Three men dominated Rome as Triumvirate:
(Group of three Rulers)
58-50 BCE- Caesar leads military campaigns
Most Successful campaign in Gaul
Made him popular with Romans
Caesar defies Senate to disband Legions
46 BCE- Caesar returns to Rome
44 BCE- Cesar appointed dictator 4