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Chapter Six. Section 2. The price of success. Roman military success increased the wealth of Roman citizens at home. This had both social and economic consequences. Consequences of wealth. The rich got richer while the poor got poorer
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Chapter Six Section 2
The price of success • Roman military success increased the wealth of Roman citizens at home. • This had both social and economic consequences.
Consequences of wealth • The rich got richer while the poor got poorer • Wealthy families bought up huge estates, called latifundia, which were worked by slaves captured during Roman wars of expansion • This essentially put small farms out of business • This is similar to large corporations putting Mom and Pop shops out of business today
Consequences of wealth • The now “out of business” farmers flocked to the streets of Rome creating a “mob” • This further increased the gap between the rich and the poor • Something needed to be done . . .
The Brothers Gracchus • Two young Patrician brothers named Tiberius (the older) and Gaius (the younger) were the first to attempt reforms
The Brothers Gracchus • Called on the state to distribute land to poor farmers Gaius Tiberius • Wished for wider ranging reforms • For eaxample- the use of public funds to buy grain for the poor
The Beginning of the End • The Gracchus brothers are eventually murdered plunging the Roman republic into a period of turmoil • This showed that the Roman republic was incapable of changing/adapting to new challenges
With constant revolts happening throughout the empire, Rome’s army of citizen soldiers transformed into a professional military with a soldiers first allegiance to his commander
The Rise of Caesar • Out of the chaos comes Julius Caesar and Pompey the Great • Caesar and Pompey worked together to conquer many new lands abroad as well as the senate at home • However, this partnership would not last. Pompey grew jealous of Caesar’s growing success and turns the senate against him.
Caesar lead his loyal army towards Rome and “crossed the Rubicon River” – from this point there was no turning back for Caesar, he was now embarking on a civil war with Pompey that would change Rome forever
You do not have to write this! • Rubicon is the ancient name for a small stream or river that formed part of the boundary between Italy and Cisalpine Gaul. • The crossing of it by Caesar marked the beginning of the war with Pompey. Since this event, many Rubicon's have been breached and the word Rubicon is now synonymous with boundary, boundary line or limit. Recent history and ongoing events show how the Rubicon has become symbolic of borders that define countries and cultures.
Caesar crushed Pompey and his supporters. • He then swept around the Mediterranean suppressing rebellions.
Caesar’s Reforms • He launched a program of public works to employ the jobless and gave public land to the poor. • He also reorganized the government of the provinces and granted Roman citizenship to more people. • A reform that we still feel today was the introduction of a new calendar based on Egyptian knowledge.
Beware of the Ides of March • Fearful of Caesar’s growing power and popularity, Caesar’s fellow statesmen conspired against him • In march 44 B.C. they stabbed him to death.
The death of Julius Caesar plunged Rome into a new round of civil wars.
New power struggles • Mark Antony was Caesars top general • Octavian was Caesar’s grandnephew • These two joined forces to hunt down Caesar’s murderer (s)
New power struggles • Like Pompey and Caesar, Mark Antony and Octavian soon battled for power. • Mark Antony sides with the famous Egyptian queen Cleopatra, but is eventually defeated by the young, brilliant Octavian ... her fascinating speak, her beautiful voice, “the skill and acuteness of her speech” ... she spoke six languages ... she was a smart negotiant ... and a first order military strategist
Octavian Augustus • The senate gave the triumphant Octavian the title of Augustus (exalted one) and declared him princeps (first citizen). • Augustus exercised absolute power but was careful not to call himself king.
Augustus • Under Augustus the 500 year old republic came to an end. A new age had dawned -- The age of the Roman empire
Pax Romana • Augustus undertook economic reforms. • The government that Augustus organized functioned well for 200 years. • Still the problem persisted … Who rules when an emperor, princeps, dictator, ruler, dies?
Romans, still hated the idea of a King (even though basically ruled by one) • So they rejected the idea of passing down rule through inheritance (father to son)
So, when an emperor would die, it would often be followed by times of violence and warfare • Augustus was a good emperor, but there were also bad emperors • For example …
Nero viciously persecuted Christians • and was blamed for setting a great fire that destroyed much of Rome.
Pax Romana • The golden age of Rome lasted from Augustus to Marcus Aurelius • It is known as Pax Romana or Roman Peace
Roman Society • Like many other ancient societies, Ancient Rome was patriarchal. • Romans stressed education for both genders • Roman gods and goddesses resembled those of the Etruscans and Greeks ( Cultural Diffusion)
Bread and Circuses • Throughout the empire rich and poor alike were entertained by spectacular shows. • This is where gladiator contests became popular. • During these shows – often taking place at The Coliseum – the emperor would give out bread
How do you think the founders of the Roman republic would have viewed the Roman empire ?
