Through trade and conquering, the Roman Empire became incredibly wealthy. With this new wealth came new problems –Discontent among the lower classes of society

As Rome grew, the gap between rich and poor grew wider. –Many rich landowners lived on large estates and had thousands of enslaved workers. –Small farmers found it difficult to compete Many of these farmers were retired soldiers Many of these small farmers sold their lands to the wealthy

One fourth of Rome’s population were the urban poor Two Tribunes set out to defend these people. *Remember, Tribunes were the Plebeian representatives* –Two brothers: Tiberius and Gaius

Tiberius and Gaius spoke out against the mistreatment of the poor and especially the mistreatment of these former soldiers who could no longer make any kind of living. –The Senate felt threatened by the two brothers’ abilities to reach the public

Tiberius was murdered in 133 B.C. Gaius was murdered in 121 B.C. –A period of civil war broke out through out Rome

The Republic was in turmoil. –Many wealthy Generals hired men to form their own personal armies –These men were loyal only to the military leader who was paying them. Instead of having soldiers who were loyal to the Roman republic, it was possible for a person to take over by using personal force

Julius Caesar Eventually, one man would do that. In 60 B.C., a military leader by the name of Julius Caesar joined forces with a wealthy Roman named Crassus, and a popular General named Pompey. –The three men formed the first triumvirate. –Triumvirate: a group of three leaders

Caesar was a strong leader and a genius at military strategy. –He served one year as a Consul He appointed himself governor of Gaul (now France) –From 58 – 50 B.C., Caesar conquered all of Gaul

Caesar’s successes in Gaul made him very popular to the Roman citizens. Pompey, who had become Caesar’s rival, was nervous about Caesar’s support from the Roman civilians

In 50 B.C., Pompey and the senate ordered Caesar to disband his army and return to Rome Caesar refused –January 10, 49 B.C., Caesar and his army marched toward Rome

Pompey fled the city, but Caesar and his forces followed. The two forces met in Greece, Asia, Spain, and Egypt –Caesar was victorious In 46 B.C., Caesar returned to Rome and was greeted with a celebration

In 44 B.C., Caesar was named dictator for life. He governed Rome as an absolute ruler –One who has total power

Caesar’s Reforms Caesar granted citizenship to many people in the Roman provinces –Territories that Rome claimed after battles He expanded the senate by adding supporters from other regions outside of Rome. He helped the poor by creating new jobs through construction and public buildings He started new colonies where people without land could afford it. He also increased pay for Roman military men

Though Caesar became a popular figure with the Roman public, many senators feared the power he was gaining –Some feared that they’d lose their authority –Others thought Caesar was simply a tyrant

A number of senators decided that it was time to remove Caesar from office. –His best friend Marcus Brutus and a senator name Gaius Cassius plotted Caesar’s assassination On March 14, 44 B.C., Julius Caesar was stabbed multiple times in the senate chamber.

Civil War broke out once again after the death of Caesar (just like the deaths of Tiberius and Gaius) –What remained of the republic was pretty much destroyed. Three of Caesar’s supporters joined forces to crush his assassins

The Second Triumvirate Octavian: Caesar’s 18 year old Grandson Mark Antony: an experienced General Lepidus: a powerful politician

The three men joined forces and ruled Rome for the next ten years. Their alliance ended in jealousy and violence Octavian forced Lepidus to retire Octavian and Antony went to war

While at war in Anatolia, Mark Antony met the Egyptian Queen Cleopatra –The two fell in love  Antony followed Cleopatra back to Egypt Octavian accused Antony of plotting to rule Rome from Egypt –Another civil war broke out in Rome

In 31 B.C., Octavian defeated the combined forces of Antony and Cleopatra –Later Antony and Cleopatra committed suicide Octavian became the unchallenged ruler of Rome –He restored some aspects of the Republic, but still chose to rule as a dictator

Octavian accepted the title Augustus –Augustus means the “Exalted one” –He also kept the title of imperator which means “supreme military commander”  the term emperor derives from this word Rome was now an empire ruled by one man –First time since Tarquin the Proud

Rome was at the peak of its power from the beginning of Augustus’s rule in 27 B.C. to A.D. 180 For 207 years, peace reigned throughout the empire. This 207 year period of peace is known as the Pax Romana (Roman Peace)

During Pax Romana, the Roman Empire included more than 3 million square miles. Its population numbered between 60 and 80 million people. About one million people lived in the city of Rome itself