Roman Republic Falls…

CROWDED ROME Population: 1 million Rich lived in suburbs Urban Romans in small wooden apartment buildings In lower part of city Subject to disease, periodic floods, collapse, and fires

PRIVATE ARMIES Wealthy kept poor down with private armies or to eliminate* a rival

SLUMS Apartment were poorly constructed No sewer system Most of Rome was a slum with slumlords Some reformers in Senate Always blocked* by the Senate

LABOR FORCE Many urban workers were slaves from the provinces

TIBERIUS GRACCHUS Proposed to the Assembly that state- owned land be distributed among the poor of Rome Senate charged Gracchus with “aspiring to tyranny” and lynched him

GAIUS GRACCHUS Protected poor and planned to use his private army to make sure his laws remained on the books Senate raised its own private army to oppose him Gaius killed

SUMMARY Democracy is going to FAIL… Lack of official police force Private armies to protect rich and their interests Poverty for most in Rome Corruption in senate