Rome Republic to Empire

A Republic Becomes an Empire

The Republic collapses

a.

Rome’s increasing wealth and expanding territories brought problems

i.

Discontent among lower classes

ii.

Breakdown in military order

Roman Coins

SPQR

SPQR is from a Latin phrase “Senatus Poulusque Romanus” meaning

The Senate and the People of Rome referring to the ancient Roman
Republic and used as the emblem of modern day Rome.

A Republic Becomes an Empire

b.

Economic Turmoil

i.

Gap between rich and poor widened

ii.

Rich lived on huge estates

iii.

Poor worked on estates (possibly as slaves)

iv.

By 100 B.C. one-third of Rome’s population were enslaved

A Republic Becomes an Empire

c.

Military Upheaval

i.

Generals seized power for themselves

ii.

Recruited by promising land

iii.

Citizens loyal to generals rather than to Rome itself

A Republic Becomes an Empire

Julius Caesar

a.

60 B.C. joins with Crassus (wealthy Roman) and Pompey
(popular general) to create a Triumvirate

b.

Triumvirate: a group of three rulers

c.

They rule together for 10 years

Multiple Choice

Unofficial alliance between Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus to rule Rome together.

• Hegemon

• First Triumvirate

• Dictator

• Imperator

Multiple Choice

what form did Roman use in the time before triumvirate

• empire

• democracy

• Monarchy

• republic

A Republic Becomes an Empire

d.

Caesar takes power

i.

Caesar has success in Gaul (France), becomes quite popular

ii.

Political rival Pompey urges the senate to disband Caesar’s legions

iii.

Caesar defies senate, marches into Rome

iv.

Pompey flees

v.

Caesar defeats Pompey’s troops in Greece, Asia, Spain, and Egypt

vi.

Julius Caesar returns home in 46 B.C.- senate appoints him dictator

vii.

44 B.C. Caesar is named dictator for life

viii.

Result: Even though Caesar has total control, Rome still embraces
some of its republic roots, however it is moving closer to empire

A Republic Becomes an Empire

4.

Julius Caesar’s legacy

a.

Absolute ruler but he also expanded the senate

b.

Granted citizenshipto people in Roman provinces

c.

Helped poor by creating jobs and building projects

d.

Increased pay for soldiers

A Republic Becomes an Empire

e.

Beware the Ides of March

i.

Many nobles and senators expressed concern over Caesar’s
growing power, success, and popularity; feared losing their influence

ii.

Others considered Caesar a tyrant

iii.

Many felt Rome would suffer due to his ego

iv.

Caesar is stabbed to death in the senate by a gang of senators
led by Marcus Brutus and Gaius Cassius on March 15, 44 B.C.

Multiple Choice

Who was Julius Ceasar?

• Roman Farmer

• Roman Merchant

• Roman Leader

• Greek Ruler

Multiple Choice

Which best describes Julius Caesar?

• He declared himself dictator for life, which led to change of the Roman government from a republic to an empire

• He was the founder of Rome.

• He was the last emperor of Rome.

• He was a brilliant architect who built the first aqueduct.

Multiple Choice

Why did the Senate not like Julius Caesar?

• He was too handsome

• He kept losing battles

• He and Pompey were besties

• He was getting too popular and powerful

A Republic Becomes an Empire

5.

Octavian

a.

Caesar’s 18 year old nephew and adopted son

b.

Takes power with Mark Antony and Lepidus = Second Triumvirate

c.

Octavian forces Lepidus to retire

d.

Mark Antony falls in love with Queen Cleopatra of Egypt

A Republic Becomes an Empire

5.

Octavian

e.

Octavian accuses Antony of plotting to rule Rome from Egypt and
this leads to another civil war

f.

Octavian defeats Antony & Cleopatra’s forces at naval battle
of Actium (31 B.C.)

g.

Mark Antony and Cleopatra commit suicide; leaving Octavian sole leader

h.

Octavian takes name Augustus meaning “exalted one” -27 B.C.

A Republic Becomes an Empire

i.

Result: Rome is officially an empire.

A Republic Becomes an Empire

6.

A Vast and Powerful Empire

a.

Peak of Rome’s power 27 B.C. to 180 A.D.

b.

Period known as the Pax Romana or “Roman Peace”

c.

Population of 60-80 million with 1 million in the city of Rome

d.

Rome held together through efficient means of government started by
Augustus however many terrible emperors would gradually weaken
the empire over the next 400 years

e.

Common coinage made trade easier

More Roman Coins

A Republic Becomes an Empire

f.

“All roads lead to Rome;” the Romans built about 250,000 miles of roads that were protected by the government and made it easy to trade in the Roman Empire

A Republic Becomes an Empire

h.

90 % of the population were poor and slavery was common

i.

The Colosseum was used to distract the masses because much of city of
Rome was unemployed; gladiatorial battles were popular for entertainment

j.

Rich continued to live extravagantly while the poor continued to struggle

Multiple Choice

A 200-year period of peace and stability within the Roman Empire

• Punic

• Middle Ages

• Pax Romana

• Classical Period

Multiple Choice

What type of entertainment was provided to citizens on the Colosseum?

• Gladiator Fights.

• Plays.

• Singing and Dancing.

• Sports.

Multiple Choice

What is a gladiator?

• men who fought against one another or against large animals as a form of entertainment for others.

• a panel of ordinary people who, in many democracies, take part in cases that are brought to trial.

• a place for the public to gather to hear speeches, shop, worship at temples, and mingle with friends.

• a form of government in which people elect leaders, called representatives, to stand in for them.

Multiple Choice

What did Roman economy establish?

• How to raise an army

• A system of money and expand trade.

• Slavery and torture

• Mental health services.

Multiple Choice

What did the Roman government build to help increase trade?

• Hotels

• Roads

• Colliseums

• Banks