Ch The Roman Republic Declines

Rome fell into several civil wars Who is to be in control? Senate? Popular political leaders? Slave revolts became Military leaders had their own individual armies = power Rome fell into several civil wars Who is to be in control? Senate? Popular political leaders? Slave revolts became Military leaders had their own individual armies = power

Julius Caesar the Dictator Ambitious military commander Caesar and Pompey dominated Roman politics 58 B.C. Caesar went out to conquer Conquered Gaul (today France and Belgium) Pompey asked the Senate to disband Caesar’s army and have him return to Rome Ambitious military commander Caesar and Pompey dominated Roman politics 58 B.C. Caesar went out to conquer Conquered Gaul (today France and Belgium) Pompey asked the Senate to disband Caesar’s army and have him return to Rome

Caesar Continued Caesar did not listen to the order Crossed the Rubicon River into northern Italy Headed to Rome Caesar crushed Pompey and his supporters He declared “Veni, vidi, vici” Forced the Senate to make him dictator, though he had full control and power Caesar did not listen to the order Crossed the Rubicon River into northern Italy Headed to Rome Caesar crushed Pompey and his supporters He declared “Veni, vidi, vici” Forced the Senate to make him dictator, though he had full control and power

Caesar Makes Reforms Between 48 B.C. and 44 B.C. Caesar pushed some reform Used public works To help unemployed and gave land to poor Granted Roman citizenship to more people Introduced the Julian calendar, still used for the most part today Between 48 B.C. and 44 B.C. Caesar pushed some reform Used public works To help unemployed and gave land to poor Granted Roman citizenship to more people Introduced the Julian calendar, still used for the most part today

Caesar Killed, War Follows Enemies worried he wanted to become King of Rome To save the Republic, he had to die March of 44 B.C. Caesar stabbed to death Civil war followed Mark Antony and Octavian (Caesar’s grandnephew) hunted down the killers Enemies worried he wanted to become King of Rome To save the Republic, he had to die March of 44 B.C. Caesar stabbed to death Civil war followed Mark Antony and Octavian (Caesar’s grandnephew) hunted down the killers

Caesar Killed Continued Antony and Octavian would soon fight for power 31 B.C. Octavian defeated Antony and his ally, Queen Cleopatra of Egypt Antony and Octavian would soon fight for power 31 B.C. Octavian defeated Antony and his ally, Queen Cleopatra of Egypt

The Age of the Roman Empire Dawns Octavian given the title of Augustus or Exalted one Exercised absolute power without using the name King The 500 year Republic was gone, the Roman empire was born Octavian given the title of Augustus or Exalted one Exercised absolute power without using the name King The 500 year Republic was gone, the Roman empire was born

Augustus Builds a Stable Government Left the Senate in place High-level jobs open to any man Changes New coins Census to see who should be taxed Postal service Jobless to work = roads and temples Worked well for 200 years, but who becomes emperor after death? Left the Senate in place High-level jobs open to any man Changes New coins Census to see who should be taxed Postal service Jobless to work = roads and temples Worked well for 200 years, but who becomes emperor after death?

Emperors Vary Not all emperors were good Nero and Caligula were possibly insane Caligula - appointed his horse as consul Nero persecuted Christians and may have set fire to Rome A.D. 96-A.D. 180, “good emperors” Hadrian made Roman law, making it the same for all provinces Marcus Aurelius liked philosophy, ruled as such Not all emperors were good Nero and Caligula were possibly insane Caligula - appointed his horse as consul Nero persecuted Christians and may have set fire to Rome A.D. 96-A.D. 180, “good emperors” Hadrian made Roman law, making it the same for all provinces Marcus Aurelius liked philosophy, ruled as such

Compare Pg. 159 Republic vs. Empire Pg. 159 Republic vs. Empire

The Pax Romana Brings Prosperity 200 years from Augustus to Marcus Aurelius “Roman Peace” Ruled an area equal to the continental U.S. Traded everywhere along roads, like the Great Silk Road to China 200 years from Augustus to Marcus Aurelius “Roman Peace” Ruled an area equal to the continental U.S. Traded everywhere along roads, like the Great Silk Road to China

The Distraction of Entertainment Circus Maximus Rome’s largest racecourse for chariots Coliseum Gladiator contest Man vs. man, man vs. animal, and animal vs. animal Could earn freedom if good Mostly paid for by taxes Circus Maximus Rome’s largest racecourse for chariots Coliseum Gladiator contest Man vs. man, man vs. animal, and animal vs. animal Could earn freedom if good Mostly paid for by taxes