1. From Republic to Empire
Section 2
From Republic to Empire

2. Rome Grows Through Conquest
Rome’s conquest around Mediterranean brings it into conflict with Carthage
Carthage had an empire stretching across North Africa
Punic Wars > 3 Wars > Rome vs. Carthage
1st Punic War > Rome gains Sicily, Corsica, & Sardinia
2nd Punic War > Hannibal of Carthage invades Italian peninsula from North
Romans eventually force him to return to Carthage and protect his homeland
He is then defeated
3rd Punic War > Carthage completely destroyed
Romans committed to policy of imperialism
Roman power stretched from Spain to Egypt
Wealth from abroad brought wealth at home
Latifundia > huge estates with slaves working
Farmers no longer could compete
Huge gap between rich and poor

3. Attempt at Reform
Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus (brothers) call for reform
State must distribute land to poor farmers
Public funds to buy grain for the poor
Rest of senate displeased and see brothers as a threat
Brothers are murdered through waves of street violence
Senate behind the murders

4. The Roman Republic Declines
Rome plunges into civil war
Who should hold power?
Julius Caesar arises
Ambitious military commander
Famous from success on battlefield
Pompey and Senate want Caesar to disband his army > he refuses > civil war again
Returns to Rome and becomes dictator
Caesar makes reforms
Program of public works
Expands govt.
Grants more Roman citizenship
Introduces new calendar > later named Julian calendar
Caesar is murdered
Enemies feared he would make himself king
Stabbed him to death when he returned to Senate
Rome plunges into another series of civil war
Octavian (Caesar’s grandnephew) vs. Mark Anthony (Caesar’s chief general)
Octavian wins

5. The Age of Roman Empire Dawns
Octavian gains title of Augustus
Republic ends under him > Rome becomes an empire
Senate still in place > civil service system > earn your position in govt.
Census taken for tax purposes
Postal service est.
System of public works
Augustus’ successors > good and bad
Caligula and Nero > evil and insane
Hadrian > good > Codified Roman Law
Marcus Aurelius > loved philosophy > Plato’s philosopher king in a sense
Pax Romana > period of peace from Augustus to Marcus Aurelius
Roman rule brought peace, order, unity, and prosperity to their conquered lands

6. Distraction of Entertainment
Circus Maximus
Large racecourse with chariots
Gladiator contests were the most popular
These amusements were a way to pacify the city’s restless mobs