The Collapse of the Republic The Romans

Growing Inequality By the 2 nd Century B.C. Rome primarily governed by the Senate. By the 2 nd Century B.C. Rome primarily governed by the Senate. Rome suffering economically and militarily because of landless plebeians. Rome suffering economically and militarily because of landless plebeians.

Gracchus Brothers Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus were reform minded aristocrats. Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus were reform minded aristocrats. Called for laws giving public land of the patricians back to the landless poor. Called for laws giving public land of the patricians back to the landless poor. Tiberius and Gaius later killed for their reform beliefs. Tiberius and Gaius later killed for their reform beliefs.

Marius’s Military Reforms General named Marius made matters worse General named Marius made matters worse Recruited soldiers from landless poor promising them land if they swore allegiance to him and served in his military. Recruited soldiers from landless poor promising them land if they swore allegiance to him and served in his military. Gained great power by doing this. Gained great power by doing this.

Sulla Sulla followed Marius’s idea. Sulla followed Marius’s idea. A Civil War broke out in Rome and Sulla’s army seized Rome in 82 B.C. A Civil War broke out in Rome and Sulla’s army seized Rome in 82 B.C. Sulla would later restore power to the senate in hopes of reviving the Republic. Sulla would later restore power to the senate in hopes of reviving the Republic.

The Collapse From B.C. civil wars beset Rome. From B.C. civil wars beset Rome. Three men Crassus, Pompey, and Julius Caesar emerged victorious. Three men Crassus, Pompey, and Julius Caesar emerged victorious. Crassus was a wealthy landowner while the other two were military leaders. Crassus was a wealthy landowner while the other two were military leaders.

The First Triumvirate Crassus, Pompey, and Julius Caesar Triumvirate is a government ruled by 3 people with equal power. Triumvirate is a government ruled by 3 people with equal power. Each man had a military command. Each man had a military command. Crassus later killed, and Senate decides that Pompey would be the best to lead. Crassus later killed, and Senate decides that Pompey would be the best to lead. Caesar disagreed. Caesar disagreed.

Caesar Takes Power Julius Caesar refused to give up his command and crossed the Rubicon River to defeat Pompey in 47 B.C. Julius Caesar refused to give up his command and crossed the Rubicon River to defeat Pompey in 47 B.C. Caesar then becomes first dictator of Rome. Caesar then becomes first dictator of Rome. Gives land to the poor and expanded the senate to 900, filling it with his supporters. Gives land to the poor and expanded the senate to 900, filling it with his supporters. He would later be assassinated by his own senators. He would later be assassinated by his own senators.

Second Triumvirate Octavian, Antony, and Lepidus Early Lepidus is kicked to the curb leaving Antony and Octavian to divide the Roman World between them. Early Lepidus is kicked to the curb leaving Antony and Octavian to divide the Roman World between them. Octavian took the west and Antony took the east. Octavian took the west and Antony took the east. Later conflict would arise between the two and Antony would look to his lover Cleopatra VII for help. Later conflict would arise between the two and Antony would look to his lover Cleopatra VII for help. Octavian showed no mercy in defeating Antony and Cleopatra, sending them into retreat where they would both commit suicide. Octavian showed no mercy in defeating Antony and Cleopatra, sending them into retreat where they would both commit suicide.

The Age of Augustus Octavian takes power and proclaims the “restoration of the republic. Octavian takes power and proclaims the “restoration of the republic. Gave some power back to Senate and became Rome’s first emperor. Gave some power back to Senate and became Rome’s first emperor. Given title of Augustus by Senate (revered one) Given title of Augustus by Senate (revered one) Known for his fairness in dealing with the people, stabilized Rome’s frontier, and conquered new areas. Known for his fairness in dealing with the people, stabilized Rome’s frontier, and conquered new areas.

The Early Empire A.D Emperors allowed to pick successors. Emperors allowed to pick successors. First four emperors after Augustus were from his family. First four emperors after Augustus were from his family. Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero. Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero. All took more power away from the senate and were considered to be corrupt. All took more power away from the senate and were considered to be corrupt.

Pax Romana Second century series of 5 good emperors. Second century series of 5 good emperors. Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus, and Marcus Aurelius. Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus, and Marcus Aurelius. Pax Romana stands for the period of “Roman Peace” Pax Romana stands for the period of “Roman Peace”