The Roman Empire

The Republic Collapses

Economic Collapse Increasing gap between rich & poor Population Breakdown: Urban poor (25%) Slave population (33%) Small farms v. large farms CONFLICT!

Military Upheaval Decreasing loyalty within the military Power-hungry generals & shifting loyalties 1st Triumvirate: Caesar, Pompey, Crassus

Military Upheaval 1st Triumvirate: group of 3 rulers Caesar, Pompey, Crassus Caesar: Consul Governor of Gaul – Success! Pompey orders Caesar home Crosses Rubicon River & defeats Pompey Becomes Dictator!

Caesar’s Reforms

Caesar’s Reforms Granted Roman citizenship to people living in Roman provinces Expanded the Senate Aided the poor by providing jobs Increased pay for military

The Beginning of Empire

The Empire After Caesar’s death civil war broke out; destroyed what was left of Republic Second Triumvirate: Octavian, Mark Antony, Lepidus

The Empire Ruled for 10 years with the intention of avenging the assassins Ended in jealousy, violence, war, etc.

Cleopatra + Marc Antony

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNWWl9yeTrk

The Empire End Result: After Octavian defeated Mark Antony & Cleopatra he became UNCHALLENGED RULER of Rome Became Augustus; the “exalted one”

A Vast & Powerful Empire

The Pax Romana Peak of the Roman Empire 27 BC to AD 180 Peace & prosperity Pax Romana: “Roman Peace”

Extent of Empire 3 million square miles; 60 to 80 million people Spain, Mesopotamia, North Africa, Britain

Political Improvements Contributions of Augustus: Established VERY efficient gov’t Stabilized the Roman frontier Glorified Rome Established a civil service system

Agriculture & Trade Agriculture; most important industry 90% of population involved in production HUGE trading network; made easier because of common coinage Greece, Anatolia, China, India, etc.