1. The Fall of the Roman Republic

2. The Republic Collapses
Republic expanded, but it caused problems
After the Punic Wars- Increasing wealth and expanding empire brought many problems
Major problems included;
Widening gap between the rich and poor
Soldiers came home with no jobs or land/homes
Corruption was growing in the government
Slaves captured in battle were also unhappy
Forced to work on Latifundias = huge estates.

3. Attempts to Save Rome Two brothers try to solve Rome’s problems
Suggest that land should be split up
Both Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus are killed
Rome falls into civil war- rich v. poor
Generals start creating armies themselves
No longer care about Rome as a whole
Power begins to change to the most powerful instead of the ones chosen

4. Julius Caesar Comes
Julius Caesar comes to power with the help of two other people
Crassus and Pompey
Creates a triumvirate- rule by 3 people
Caesar takes control of Gaul (France)
He then turns his army on Rome to take power from Pompey- Pompey flees Rome
Caesar gained the support of the Romans
They name him dictator for life in 44BC

5. Julius’ Changes Increased citizenship to more Romans
Created jobs for the poor
Expanded Senate positions; filled w/ friends
All these things make Caesar very popular
Senators begin to worry about his popularity
Feel they will be losing power/ influence
Julius Caesar is killed March 15, 44 BC
Stabbed by friend Marcus Brutus and others “E tu Brute”
Julius

6. Life After the Death of Julius Caesar
Civil war breaks out again after assassination
Destroys what is left of the Roman republic
Octavian is quick to come into power
Was Julius’ grand-nephew and adopted son
Comes to power with two others-2nd Triumvirate
Octavian, Marc Antony and Lepidus
The 2nd Triumvirate will end much like the first

7. Breakdown of the 2nd Triumvirate
They took power in 43 BC but quickly fell apart
Lepidus forced to retire from service by Octavian
Marc Antony and Octavian begin to fight
Marc Antony goes to fight in Anatolia
While there he meets Cleopatra- Queen of Egypt
Falls in love with her and travels back to Egypt
Octavian accuses him of trying to rule Rome from Egypt- some people do not like that idea
The Battle of Actium (31BC)
Octavian battles Antony and Cleopatra for control
Octavian wins; Cleopatra and Anthony commit suicide

8. Octavian Controls the Empire Alone
The Roman Empire was now Octavian’s
He promised to bring back parts of the republic
He kept the Senate
Later accepted the title of Augustus or “exalted one”
Also took title of imperator or Emperor
Octavian’s rule starts the Roman Empire
Different from the Roman Republic - only 1 ruler
He takes power alone in 27 BC
A new period of peace and prosperity begins
Pax Romana – means “Roman peace”
Lasts from 27 BC – 180 AD

9. Life During the Pax Romana
Contained 200 wonderful years for Rome
Had excellent leaders/ emperors
Plenty of food, jobs and money
Trade increased as well as the size of the empire
Had million people in the empire
City of Rome grew to over 1 million people
Trading became a major part of the empire
Traded by land to China, India and the Middle East
Used the Silk Roads to reach into Russia as well
Roads were built for army, but were also used for trade
Traded by sea with the protection of the Roman navy

10. Protecting and Glorifying the Empire
Defending such a large area was difficult
Over 10,000 miles of border to protect
Roman Legion had to defend on support armies
Armies trained by the Romans
Got to become citizens when their service was up
Octavian glorified the empire by…
Building new buildings
Using civil servants to collect taxes, mail, and grain
Stabilizing the empire
Creating a SILVER coin monetary system
Called denarius, denaris (plural)

11. Emperors that followed Octavian
5 great emperors followed Octavian
Gave them the great years of the Pax Romana
Emperors had a plan for when they died
If they didn’t a civil war could start again
They picked an heir to the throne before they died
Marcus Aurelius was the last great emperor
He does not choose an heir before death
This leads to the beginning of the fall of Rome

12. Life in the Roman Empire
Many people filled the streets of Rome daily
Few lived in the city limits;many lived in countrysides
Romans valued certain personal qualities
Power, strength, and usefulness
Life was focused around the family
Eldest males ran the home; had complete control
Could disown family members or sell them into slavery
Boys were favored over girls – they could vote
Also held family traditions and got original names
Daughters got female version of fathers name
Education was usually for the richer boys
Women taught at home; married at to older men

13. Women and Slaves In Rome
As the empire came to power, women were close to equals socially in Rome
Given more freedom than women of Greece
Allowed to own property and testify in court
Were NOT allowed to vote or educated outside home
Attended fairs, festivals, and public baths
Slavery very important to Roman society
Romans use slaves more than any other civilization
Slaves were property, could be bought, sold, killed
Some forced to be gladiators for entertainment

14. Roman Religion- Roman Mythology
Romans were polytheistic
Roman religion helped to explain 3 things
Life events, natural phenomena, human characteristics
Held ceremonies and rituals to Gods – like Greeks
Religion also connected to government
Ceremonies were to be both public and private
Worship of the emperor also part of the religion
By 100 AD, Romans are interested by Asian religions – felt a more personal connection to them
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15. Entertainment in Rome Entertainment very different b/w rich and poor
Rich had fancy parties, banquets and fancy homes
Poor were usually unemployed and fed on
bread rations from the Roman government
To distract the poor from revolting they held games
Gladiator games, races, mock battles all free
By 250 AD, there were 150 holidays in Rome
Used the Colosseum for the games- sat 50,000 people
Live animals used in games as well, lots of death
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