1. Notes 7 Chapter 11

2. Romans Rich and Poor 100s B.C. farmers began to fall into poverty and debt. Small farmers could not compete with wealthy Roams, who owned latifundia. Desperate economic conditions created mounting anger among the poor. Roman rulers worried about as rebellion. As a result they created a policy known as “bread and circuses” (free entertainment and cheap food for the poor).

3. Roman reforms Gracchus brothers tried to help poor farmers who had lost their land to latifundia. Both brothers were killed by the Senate.

4. Roman Politics Marius- consul, plebeian, and general. Transformed the army from a force of citizen volunteers to a force of professional soldiers. Sulla- general who commanded his own army. 82 B.C. Sulla announces himself as dictator for life. Sulla eventually steps down as dictator.

5. The Rise of Julius Caesar 60 B.C. three men formed the First Triumvirate- Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus. Pompey- led in Spain Crassus- in Syria Caesar- in Gaul By 50 B.C. the First Triumvirate no longer existed. Crassus died in battle and Pompey emerged as Caesar’s main rival. Caesar crushes Pompey’s army in Greece in 48 B.C. 44 B.C. – Caesar’s opponents gathered around him and stabbed him to death. He was killed on March 15, also known as the “Ides of March”.

6. From Republic to Empire After Caesars death the Second Triumvirate is formed. Marc Antony, Octavian (Caesar’s nephew), and Marcus Lepidus. Second Triumvirate does not last long. Lepidus retires and Octavian’s forces defeat those of Antony and Cleopatra. 27 B.C. Octavian took the title Augustus, or “the majestic one” and became Rome's first emperor and all powerful ruler.