Collapse of the Roman Republic & Civil War

I. Problems of Roman Expansion 133 BCE: epansion = problems

A. Government Republican govt. Senate gained power Conquered territories = provinces –Denied citizenship Proconsul/Propraetor Publicans (tax collectors in Rome)

B. Economic Turmoil Wealth gap! Latifundias –100 BCE: 1/3 of pop. enslaved –Life of slaves (Spartacus) Small farmers could not compete

Tiberius & Gaius Gracchus (reforms) Tiberius (133 BCE—tribune) –Limited amount of Senators public land –Landless citizens worked confiscated land Popular w/masses, not senators! –Clubbed him to death

Gaius (tribune in 123 & 122) –Used public $ to purchase grains for poor Upset senators Killed in a riot

C. Marius & Sulla Gaius Marius (107 BCE: elected consul) –Revolutionized the Roman army Anyone could be in legions –Received pay & spoils Replaced army of draftees w/volunteer army –Provided opps. thru the military –Armies became loyal to leaders

Lucius Cornelius Sulla (88 BCE—consul) –Triumphed in civil war w/Marius –82-79 = dictator –Restored power to senate

D. The First Triumvirate Julius Caesar (nephew of Marius) –Left Rome until after Sulla’s death (78) –Joined w/Gaius Pompey & Licinius Crassus (60) The First Triumvirate (Caesar, Pompey, Crassus) –59: Caesar became consul

E. Caesar in Power Served 1 year as consul Obtained command in Gaul (France) –Brought Gaul under Roman rule Crassus died in 53 BCE Pompey was jealous of Caesar –Persuaded Senate to order Caesar home w/out army –Caesar led army toward Rome in 49 BCE –Fled to Greece allowing Caesar to take Rome –Caesar took Italy, Spain, Egypt, & Greece

46 BCE: Caesar returned to Rome –Appointed dictator for life

1. Caesar’s Reforms Roman citizenship to many in provinces Land to vets. & grain to poor Reduced influence of Senate (advisory council) Work relief programs for poor Increased pay for soldiers

Senators conspired against Caesar Gaius Cassius Longinus & Marcus Brutus March 15, 44 BCE: Caesar assassinated

F. The Second Triumvirate Civil war broke out Octavian, Marc Antony, Lepidus Octavian forced Lepidus to retire Octavian & Antony = rivals –Civil war –Battle of Actium (31 BCE)

Octavian = “princeps” or “first citizen” 27 BCE: Augustus or “exalted one” –Augustus Caesar—first Roman emperor Rule by one man!

II. A Vast & Powerful Empire Augustus launched military conquests Pax Romana (“Roman Peace”) –27 BCE to 180 CE (207 yrs.) –Farming, manufacturing, & trade prospered –Pop. = mill. (1 mill. in Rome)

A. A Sound Govt. Augustus = Rome’s ablest ruler –Stabilized the frontier –Est. a civil service (paid govt. workers) Drawn from plebeians –14 CE: Augustus died—govt. maintained empire’s stability

B. The Julio-Claudians (bad emperors) Relatives of Julius Caesar ruled for 54 yrs. (14-68 CE) Tiberius (14-37) Caligula (37-41) Claudius (41-54) Nero (54-68)

C. The Good Emperors Nerva (96-98) Trajan (98-117) Hadrian ( ) Antonius Pius ( ) Marcus Aurelias ( )

III. The Roman World Romans were practical Ag. was MOST IMPORTANT! –90% of pop. –Most lived on local produce…wealthy could import –Denarius

Rome’s trade: –Many opps. for commerce –Tariffs were low –Denarius = Roman currency –Rome & Alexandria –Provinces = grain, meat, wool, hides –Asia = silks, linens, glass, jewelry, furniture India? –Transportation improved “All roads lead to Rome”

A. Slavery Slaves = 1/3 of Roman pop. Conquered peoples (property) Worked both in cities & farms Treated cruelly Healthy males = GLADIATORS

B. Society & Culture Rich lived very extravagantly –Villas, slaves, gardens, luxuries Most were poor –High unemployment –Govt. supported w/rations of grain –Lived in crowded tenements

Govt. provided entertainment –250: 150 holidays/yr. –Colosseum – gladiator games Animal shows (exotic animals) Gladiators fought animals and/or each other