1. The Breakdown of the Roman Republic

2. Question: What caused the Republic to break down, and become ruled by an emperor?

3. What caused the Republic to break down, and become ruled by an emperor?
Plebeians were unhappy with the laws and government. They pressured the government to make laws that were fair to them.
The Senators were patricians and had made laws that favored patricians.

4. Even some Senators wanted laws to help the plebeians
Even some Senators wanted laws to help the plebeians. (Gracchus brothers)
The struggle between plebeians and patricians made the senate weak.
The Punic Wars forced people into over-crowded cities; the wealthy patricians took over land for themselves.
(Latifundias = large estates)

5. Military leaders were able to take over, and they ignored laws by taking b ack-to-back terms as consuls.
Struggles between military leaders led to a weak government.
The First Triumvirate was a leadership of 3 military leaders who all wanted to rule. The idea of 3 leaders went against centuries of law with 2 elected consuls!
…further weakened government.

6. The Romans were ready for ONE strong leader who would bring PEACE.
Julius Caesar brought peace, so he was welcomed as a dictator, but after his death, Rome was again facing years of civil wars. (Second Triumvirate: Octavian, Marc Antony, Lepidus)
The Romans were again ready for ONE strong leader who would bring about PEACE.
They accepted an Emperor!!!!!