1. As a result of the Punic Wars… Rome had gained new lands in two continents. Many men had lost their land while they were away at war for many years, because the farmers were the backbone of the army. Remember…if you owned land it was MANDATORY to serve in the army.

2. Two Brothers Seek Reform Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus try to make laws to protect the lands of the men who are fighting in the army. Both brothers are assassinated by wealthy men in Rome who wanted to keep their land. The brothers were working to improve the lives of Plebeians.

3. The Beginning of the Fall… The Senate still maintained the most control over Rome. A general who was elected as a Consul, Marius, changed the laws and qualifications to join the army – you did not have to own land to join. This makes the Senate nervous because it made the armies became more loyal to the general than to the Senate.

4. New Loyalty Creates Ambitious Generals… A general named Sulla marched his army into Rome and held the Senate hostage until the government made him dictator. He eventually retired from position.

5. The Triumvirate After the success of Sulla as dictator, the Triumvirate emerged – three politicians who realized that they needed to use the power of the army to gain control. Julius Caesar Pompey Crassus

6. The Triumvirate (cont’d) The main politician was Crassus. He lobbied to have Pompey and Caesar elected as consuls and generals. Together, the three manipulated the Senate. They gained major popularity through land reform.

7. Military Victories Gain More Support Caesar had many victories in Spain. Pompey defeated Mediterranean Pirates. Crassus stayed as Consul to run the government.

8. Caesar is Elected to be the Highest General He was ordered to expand Rome into Gaul. There he won many victories and wrote a book The Gallic Wars.

9. End of the Triumvirate Crassus then wanted military glory and went to fight in Asia Minor against the Parthians where he is killed.

10. Pompey Did Not Share with Caesar Caesar returned to Gaul to fight for the new territory but decides to return to Rome…with his army. The Senate back Pompey and ordered Caesar to remain in Gaul. Instead, Caesar crossed the Rubicon River and used his army to take over Rome. Pompey fled with his army to Greece.

11. Caesar Chases Pompey Caesar defeated Pompey’s army in Greece. Pompey survived and fled to Egypt. As soon as he sets foot in Egypt, he is killed by an assassin. Caesar followed Pompey to Egypt where he met and fell in love with Cleopatra.

12. Caesar is Welcomed at First Once Caesar returns to Rome, he makes more reforms and new colonies in Spain and Gaul.

13. Romans Become Angry Caesar named himself king which upset the people of Rome who believed in a Republic.

14. Sic Semper Tyrannis Caesar is stabbed to death by Senators in the Forum. Brutus, a friend of Caesars, was the leader of the assassins. He happened to be related to the Romans who had gotten rid of the last king in 509 B.C. This occurred on the Ides of March (the 15 th ).