JULIUS CAESAR TAKES CONTROL
The Republic Collapses Rich and poor gap increased Gracchus brothers murdered for proposing land reform (133-121 BC) Civil war broke out (General Marius v. Sulla) 88-82 BC
Julius Caesar Takes Control Joined forces with Pompey(general) and Crassus(wealthy Roman) Caesar elected consul in 59 B.C. Three men served Rome as a triumvirate
Caesar Takes Control, cont’d Served one year as consul, then went to Gaul (France) Pompey=jealous and orders Caesar to come home Caesar crossed the Rubicon River with the army
Caesar Named Dictator Governed as ABSOLUTE RULER Very popular Senators jealous (Marcus Brutus and Gaius Cassius)
Ides of March Brutus and Cassius plotted assassination March 15, 44 B.C. Caesar stabbed to death Civil War breaks out
Beginning of Empire 3 Caesar supporters banded together Octavian (nephew; adopted son), Mark Antony, and Lepidus Took control Ruled as 2nd Triumvirate
Fall of Second Triumvirate Juicy stuff! Lepidus forced to retire Antony and Octavian became rivals Antony fell in <3 with Cleopatra and went to Egypt!
More Civil War Octavian accused Antony of ruling Rome from Egypt Defeated Antony and Cleopatra during naval battle of Actium Later, committed suicide
Augustus Octavian restored republic Became unchallenged ruler of Rome Accepted title of AUGUSTUS Rome now an empire ruled by ONE man!