Notes 7
Notes 7. Chapter 11. Romans Rich and Poor. 100s B.C. farmers began to fall into poverty and debt. Small farmers could not compete with wealthy Roams, who owned latifundia . Desperate economic conditions created mounting anger among the poor.
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Notes 7 Chapter 11
Romans Rich and Poor • 100s B.C. farmers began to fall into poverty and debt. • Small farmers could not compete with wealthy Roams, who owned latifundia. • Desperate economic conditions created mounting anger among the poor. • Roman rulers worried about as rebellion. As a result they created a policy known as “bread and circuses” (free entertainment and cheap food for the poor).
Roman reforms • Gracchus brothers tried to help poor farmers who had lost their land to latifundia. • Both brothers were killed by the Senate.
Roman Politics • Marius- consul, plebeian, and general. Transformed the army from a force of citizen volunteers to a force of professional soldiers. • Sulla- general who commanded his own army. 82 B.C. Sulla announces himself as dictator for life. Sulla eventually steps down as dictator.
The Rise of Julius Caesar • 60 B.C. three men formed the First Triumvirate- Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus. • Pompey- led in Spain • Crassus- in Syria • Caesar- in Gaul • By 50 B.C. the First Triumvirate no longer existed. Crassus died in battle and Pompey emerged as Caesar’s main rival. • Caesar crushes Pompey’s army in Greece in 48 B.C. • 44 B.C. – Caesar’s opponents gathered around him and stabbed him to death. He was killed on March 15, also known as the “Ides of March”.
From Republic to Empire • After Caesars death the Second Triumvirate is formed. Marc Antony, Octavian (Caesar’s nephew), and Marcus Lepidus. • Second Triumvirate does not last long. Lepidus retires and Octavian’s forces defeat those of Antony and Cleopatra. • 27 B.C. Octavian took the title Augustus, or “the majestic one” and became Rome's first emperor and all powerful ruler.