Collapse of the Roman Republic Goal: Explain the causes and outcomes of the end of the Republic

Growing Gap Between Rich & Poor The “Losers” of the Punic Wars were the small farmers The “Losers” of the Punic Wars were the small farmers – Hannibal’s army had destroyed the countryside – Small farmers could not afford to rebuild their farms Forced to sell their land to wealthy landowners Forced to sell their land to wealthy landowners The “Winners” of the Punic Wars were the wealthy landowners – Bought off land from small farmers – Built huge estates known as latifundia

Growing Gap Between Rich & Poor Why didn’t wealthy landowners need laborers? Why didn’t wealthy landowners need laborers? Large numbers of slaves brought in from conquered territories Small farmers could not compete with latifundia Small farmers could not compete with latifundia – Many flocked to city for work for low wages These urban, landless poor = proletariat These urban, landless poor = proletariat

Early Reform The Brothers Gracchus The Brothers Gracchus – Tiberius & Gaius Gracchus – elected as tribunes – Attempted to help Rome’s poor Limit size of large estates & give extra land to poor Limit size of large estates & give extra land to poor – Opposed by Senate b/c seen as threat Both brothers assassinated Both brothers assassinated Civil War erupted in Rome Civil War erupted in Rome

Army Leaders Soldiers fought for any general who land and gold Soldiers fought for any general who land and gold – Loyal to commander, NOT to the republic – Rival generals competed with one another

Army Leaders Military leader Sulla defeated Marius in civil war Military leader Sulla defeated Marius in civil war Sulla declared himself dictator Sulla declared himself dictator – Doubled size of senate – Reduced authority of tribunes – Killed anyone who threatened his power Marius stepped down in 79 BC Marius stepped down in 79 BC

The Rise of Julius Caesar Julius Caesar was a powerful military genius Julius Caesar was a powerful military genius Caesar joined with Pompey (a general) & Crassus (a wealthy Roman) Caesar joined with Pompey (a general) & Crassus (a wealthy Roman) – Caesar is elected consul in 59 BC – Caesar, Crassus, & Pompey ruled for 10 years as the First Triumvirate

Caesar’s Genius Stepped down from consul after 1 year (tradition) Stepped down from consul after 1 year (tradition) Conquered and appointed himself governor of Gaul (known as the Gallic Wars) Conquered and appointed himself governor of Gaul (known as the Gallic Wars) – Reported his victories back to Rome which gained him popularity and support – Won loyalty and devotion from his troops

Trouble in the 1 st Triumvirate Pompey and Crassus feel threatened by Caesar’s ambitions Pompey and Crassus feel threatened by Caesar’s ambitions – Senate ordered Caesar to disband his army – Instead, Caesar marches his army over the Rubicon River & heads toward Rome Pompey fled but his armies are defeated by Caesar Pompey fled but his armies are defeated by Caesar

Caesar as Dictator Upon return to Rome, Caesar is appointed dictator by the senate Upon return to Rome, Caesar is appointed dictator by the senate – Named dictator for life in 44 BC Caesar made several reforms Caesar made several reforms 1) Extended Roman citizenship to people in provinces 2) Expanded the senate 3) Created jobs through construction of public buildings 4) Started colonies where landless could own property 5) Increased pay for soldiers

Beware the Ides of March Nobles and senators were fearful of Caesar’s growing power and popularity Nobles and senators were fearful of Caesar’s growing power and popularity – Plot led by Marcus Brutus & Gaius Cassius to assassinate Caesar – Caesar was stabbed to death in the senate on March 15, 44 B.C.

The 2 nd Triumvirate Civil war erupted after Caesar’s death Civil war erupted after Caesar’s death The 2 nd Triumvirate is formed by The 2 nd Triumvirate is formed by – Octavian (Caesar’s adopted son) – Mark Antony (general) – Lepidus (powerful politician) Lepidus was forced to retire, and Octavian and Mark Antony became rivals Lepidus was forced to retire, and Octavian and Mark Antony became rivals

Octavian v. Mark Antony Mark Antony met Queen Cleopatra of Egypt Mark Antony met Queen Cleopatra of Egypt Octavian accused him of attempting to rule Rome from Egypt Octavian accused him of attempting to rule Rome from Egypt Octavian defeated the forces of Mark Antony & Cleopatra at the Battle of Actium Octavian defeated the forces of Mark Antony & Cleopatra at the Battle of Actium – Mark Antony & Cleopatra commit suicide

Beginning of Empire Octavian became the unchallenged ruler of Rome Octavian became the unchallenged ruler of Rome – Accepted title of “Augustus” or “exalted one” – Also the title of “imperator” or “supreme military commander”

Why was the divide between rich and poor growing in the late Roman Republic? Why was the divide between rich and poor growing in the late Roman Republic? How did Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus want to reform Rome? How did Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus want to reform Rome? Why were soldiers no longer loyal to the Republic? Why were soldiers no longer loyal to the Republic? Who joined to form the First Triumvirate and what was its significance? Who joined to form the First Triumvirate and what was its significance?

How did Julius Caesar get appointed dictator for life? Why would the people in favor of this? How did Julius Caesar get appointed dictator for life? Why would the people in favor of this? How did Caesar reform Rome during his dictatorship? How did Caesar reform Rome during his dictatorship? Why was Caesar assassinated and by whom? Why was Caesar assassinated and by whom? Who formed the Second Triumvirate and how did it fall apart (why does it not last)? Who formed the Second Triumvirate and how did it fall apart (why does it not last)? How does Octavian make the Republic an Empire? How does Octavian make the Republic an Empire?

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