1. Fall of the Roman Republic And Rise of the Roman Empire

2. Aristocrats
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

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

4. Urbanization 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

5. Inflation
To add to the troubles, the Romans created too much currency.
Prices of goods and services increased while wages (pay) stayed the same
Called inflation

6. Powerful generals
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
Those armies loyal to the general, not the Republic

7. Julius Caesar Brilliant general Conquered Gaul (France) for Rome
Fought with his men, they were dedicated to him

8. First Triumvirate
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 Pompey Crassus

9. Crossing the Rubicon
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

10. Caesar’s Reforms Expanded citizenship to provinces
Created jobs by building government buildings
Increased soldiers’ pay
Very popular with the people

11. Caesar Assassinated The Roman senate became worried about Caesar again
Some considered him a tyrant
Several Senators, including Marcus Brutus and Gaius Cassius, assassinated him by stabbing him to death (Ides of March)

13. Octavian 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

14. Second Triumvirate
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.

15. First Emperor
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