Collapse of the Republic

1. Collapse of the Republic

2. Grachhi Brothers • Republic facing numerous problems: • Landless poor – concentrated wealth • Moral decline and loss of Roman values • Stressed political system • Two Patricians aim to reverse the decline of Rome by addressing the needs of the poor • Land redistribution, cheap grains, public jobs • Shifting nature of politics • Popular Politics – appeal to the masses • Break from political traditions • Political violence as a solution

3. Marius & Sulla • Marius recruits landless poor into the army • Soldiers paid by the General from booty • Shifting loyalties away from the State • Serves as consul for six terms • Sulla seizes power from Marius • Marches army on Rome • Reign of terror – killing of opponents • Overturn previous reforms and shifts power back to the Senate • Retires from politics voluntarily • Senate faces rebellion from the people

4. Rise of Julius Caesar • Patrician from a political connections • Charismatic and personable public figure • Seeks help from others to gain political power • Crassus – Riches used for Election Campaigning and Public Games • Pompey – Powerful and popular General • First Triumvirate – work together to achieve goals (60BC) • Pompey – wants land for veterans • Crassus – wants wealth and riches • Caesar – wants consulship and glory • Power continues by removing opponents • Casear’s Campaigns in Gaul • Extends Rome to North Sea • Great wealth to Rome and Caesar • Pays army, bribes politicians, free grain to poor • Pompey fears his success and power

5. The Push for Power • Crassus dies leaving Pompey sole Consul (50BC) • Attempts to remove Caesar by declaring him a public enemy • Caesar crosses the Rubicon • Marches on Rome as a criminal • Welcomed as a patriot • Pompey and Senate flee Rome • Travel to Egypt (48BC) • Pompey is killed – offered to Caesar • Caesar meets Cleopatra and Egyptian lavishes • Caesar is the undisputed commander in the Roman world (45BC) • Republic Constitution is not restored • Caesar is made dictator for 10yrs

6. Dictatorship of Caesar • Strong Centralized Government • Assumes many offices • Limits the power of the Senate • Create a cohesive empire • Expansion of colonies • Uniform civic government • New coinage and tax system • Building projects • New standardized calendar • Bread and Circuses • Free grain to the poor • Gladiatorial games for public entertainment

7. Many become unhappy with Caesar’s megalomania • Title of “father of the country” • Sits in a gold chair in the Senate • Month of July – birthday a public holiday • Purple toga, crown of laurels, face on coins • Cleopatra & Caesarian • Ides of March • Fear Caesar will declare himself king • Senators, led by Brutus & Cassius, plan an assassination • Caesar stabbed in the Senate • Assassination split the Roman people • Was the Senate saving the Republic or itself? • How should Rome proceed?

8. Rome after Caesar • Competing interests after Caesar • Mark Antony – Caesar’s lieutenant and former Consul • As loyal commander feels he should take over • Octavius – Caesar’s grand-nephew (18 yo) • Is declared the adopted heir of Caesar by will • Marcus Lepidus – governor in Spain and former Consul • Worries about civil war • Second Triumvirate • MA, Oct, ML work together for stability • Attack political enemies • Chase and Kill assassins • Split the empire: Oct – West, MA – East, ML – Africa

9. Triumph of Octavian • Lepidus attempts to control Sicily • His army defects to Octavian • Mark Antony in Egypt • Meets Cleopatra – totally infatuated • Declares Caesarian full and rightful heir • Divorces Octavian’s sister to marry Cleopatra • Civil War between Octavian and Mark Antony • Antony defeated at Actium (31BC) • Octavian sole ruler of Rome • Surrenders power to the Senate • Senate votes him Princep – First among Equals • Total power for life – Emperor (Augustus) • Seen as a unifying symbol of Rome