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Explore the transition from the Roman Republic to an Empire, its key leaders, and the challenges faced by Rome. Comparisons to the US republic are included.
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Bellringer review • Which group of people held more power in the Roman republic, patricians or plebeians? • What characterizes a republic and how was the Roman Republic different from a Monarchy? • Give me 1 comparison and 1 contrast of the Roman Republic and the US republic
From Republic to Empire Main Idea Governmental and social problems led to the end of the Roman Republic and the creation of a new form of government. • Reading Focus • What problems did leaders face in the late Roman Republic? • How did Rome become an empire? • What helped tie the Roman empire together during the Pax Romana?
Social Unrest Soldier-Farmers Public Land • Revolution began in political, social institutions • Tensions grew between classes of Roman society • Gracchi brothers tried to resolve tension • Tribune Tiberius Gracchus noted mistreatment of soldier-farmers • Many reduced to poverty • Tiberius, brother Gaius tried to help soldiers • Gracchi tried to redistribute public land to farmers • Had public support, but Senate feared Gracchi trying to reduce its power • Senate urged mobs to kill brothers Problems in the Late Republic By the mid-100s BC, Rome had no rival anywhere in the Mediterranean world. However, the responsibilities of running their vast holdings stretched the Roman political system to its limits.
Summarize **And write this down** What challenges faced Rome in the late Republic? Answer(s): slave revolts, social unrest, the Social War, and a civil war in which Sulla became dictator
The First Triumvirate End of Triumvirate • Julius Caesar, Gnaeus Pompey, Licinius Crassushelped bring end to Republic • Caesar, Pompey successful military commanders • Crassus one of wealthiest people in Rome • 60 BC, the three took over Roman state, ruled as First Triumvirate • Crassus died; Pompey, Caesar fought civil war • Caesar defeated Pompey, took full control of Rome, became dictator for life, 44 BC • Caesar brought many changes to Rome, popular reforms • Caesar went on to add new conquests to Rome, sending word back, “Veni, Vidi, Vinci!” Rome Becomes an Empire Sulla paved the way for major changes in Rome’s government. The end of the Republic resulted from the ambitions of a few individuals.
Caesar named Dictator! • In Rome, the Senate elected Caesar dictator, consul, tribune, sole commander of the army, and chief of the city’s treasury. • He expanded the senate, elected friends and supporters from Italy and neighboring provinces. • He built new temples, libraries, and buildings. • Ordered a review of the Roman calendar to make it more accurate. • Fun Fact: the month July is named after him • Most Roman’s believed Caesar’s one-man rule was preferable to the chaos that had gone before, even though it violated the Republic’s constitution.
Other Accomplishments of Caesar • He enacted many reforms to improve the economy. He limited the grain dole to those actually in need so that the capital city would not continue as a magnet for idle mobs. He established Roman colonies by giving land to the soldiers and landless peasants in Carthage and Corinth. He made a law which limited the number of slaves estates could employ so that the poor free people would have more work. • In the provinces (land conquered by Rome) he appointed new governors and made them strictly accountable so they would no longer simply plunder the people of all their wealth. He reduced taxes and made collections more fair. He allowed the people in Sicily, Spain and Gaul to become Roman citizens so they could participate in the central government as well as their local governments. • But not everyone was pleased with Caesar’s accomplishments…
Et tu Brute?! • Other Romans, especially the Senators hated Caesar and plotted to get rid of him. • When Caesar brought Cleopatra to Rome and had a statue of her placed in a temple, his opponents were outraged • A group of disgruntled Senators hatched a plan to kill him, on March 15 in 44 B.C. • Pretending they wanted to question him about a petition, they gathered around him in the Senate chambers. • They had daggers hidden in their togas. • Caesar saw his “friend” Brutus with a dagger, his last words were “et tu Brute” (you too Brutus?)
The Second Triumvirate • Caesar’s murder did not save the Republic • 43 BC, Second Triumvirate took power—Caesar’s grand-nephew/adopted son, Octavian; loyal officer Marc Antony; high priest Lepidus • Lepidus pushed aside; Antony, Octavian agreed to govern half the empire each, Octavian in west, Antony in East • Civil War • Civil war between Octavian, Antony broke out • Octavian defeated Antony and his ally, Egypt’s Queen Cleopatra • Cleopatra, Antony committed suicide; Octavian alone controlled Rome • Republic effectively dead; new period in Roman history beginning
The Story of Cleopatra and Marc Antony • After Caesar's assassination, Cleopatra set her sights on the dashing Roman general Mark Antony. • The two began an affair, resulting in twins & Antony wed Cleopatra in 36 B.C. • After appointing his wife ruler of Egypt, the Roman Senate was so outraged that they denounced him a traitor and sent Octavian to kill him. • In desperation, Cleopatra spread rumors of her own suicide. Antony, unaware of her plan, stabbed himself to death. When Cleopatra heard of this, she took her own life by inducing a poisonous snake to bite her.
Check…1…2… • What challenges did Rome face in the LATE REPUBLIC? • What happened to all of the land that the Roman military conquered…who was it given to? • What was the First Triumvirate? • What happened when the First Triumvirate ended?
From Octavian to Augustus • Octavian Takes Power • Octavian faced task of restoring order in empire • Had no intention of establishing dictatorship when he took power • New Political Order • Octavian decided it impossible to return Rome to republican form of government • Created new political order, known today as the empire • Principate • Octavian careful to avoid title of king or emperor • Called himself princeps, “first citizen” • Government called Principate • New Title • 27 BC, Senate gave Octavian title Augustus, “exalted one” • Title a religious honor; able to wear laurel and oak leaf crown
Accomplishments of Augustus • Encouraged trade • Common coinage • Civil Service—grain supply, postal system, tax collection • Done by plebeians and former slaves • Buildings and monuments http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGN-KDH1A34
Explain **And write this down** What aspects of Roman society remained similar from Republic to Empire? Answer(s): wide disparity from Rich and poor,
Government Provinces • Roman government strongest unifying force in empire • Maintained order, enforced laws, defended frontiers • Aristocracy participated, but emperors made all important decisions • Empire divided into provinces ruled by governors appointed from Rome • Government in Rome kept close check on governors • Any citizen could appeal unfair treatment directly to emperor The Pax Romana The period from the beginning of August’s reign in 27 BC until the death of the last of the Good Emperors in AD 180 is often called the PaxRomana—the Roman Peace. This era was characterized by stable government, a strong legal system, widespread trade, and peace. Empire brought uniformity to the cities of the Mediterranean world, which were governed in imitation of Rome.
Analyze How did government, law, and trade tie the Roman people together? Answer(s):The Roman government was the strongest unifying force, maintaining order, enforcing the laws, and defending the frontiers. Roman law provided stability and, with few exceptions, the same laws applied to everyone in the empire. Trade provided opportunities for commerce between people in different parts of the empire.
