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The Transition from Republic to Empire: Inequality, Civil Wars, and the Rise of Augustus

This overview explores the transformation of Rome from a Republic to an Empire, highlighting the growing inequality among social classes, the influential roles of military leaders like Marius, and the emergence of the Triumvirates. It discusses pivotal events, including Julius Caesar's invasion of Italy and his subsequent assassination, leading to Octavian's ultimate rise to power after defeating Antony and Cleopatra. The Age of Augustus ushers in the Pax Romana, marked by prosperity and peace, while the power dynamics of the Senate and the emperors evolve significantly.

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The Transition from Republic to Empire: Inequality, Civil Wars, and the Rise of Augustus

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  1. From Republic to Empire 5-2

  2. Growing Inequality Senate becoming more powerful and more elite Small farmers losing land to patrician class – moving to cities in search of work Gracchus brothers (Tiberius and Gaius) suggest redistributing land from the rich to the poor – they are murdered by Senators (133 BCE)

  3. A New Role for the Army • New idea from Marius (Roman general): recruit landless poor to serve in army who swore an oath of loyalty to the general - not the government • Legacy: concentrated power in hands of individual generals • Military becomes an attractive tool for ambitious men

  4. Questions Why were more people moving to the cities? How did Marius change the role of the army?

  5. Collapse of the Republic 83-31 BCE – 50 years of civil war with individuals competing for power Rule by triumvirate: government by three people with equal power

  6. The First Triumvirate Caesar, Pompey, Crassus (dies in battle) Senate awards power to Pompey Caesar invades Italy by crossing the Rubicon and defeats Pompey’s army Caesar establishes a dictatorship but is assassinated by Senators in 44 BCE (less than one year in power)

  7. Questions What is a triumvirate? Why did Caesar invade Italy?

  8. The Second Triumvirate • Octavian (Caesar’s heir), Antony (Caesar’s ally), Lepidus (Caesar’s commander) • Soon, Octavian and Antony come into conflict with each other • Antony allies with Cleopatra VII of Egypt and falls in love • Octavian destroys army and navy of Antony and Cleopatra (31 BCE) and they both commit suicide • Consequence: Octavian is sole ruler of Roman world

  9. The Age of Augustus (31 BCE – 14 CE) Octavian  Augustus (“the revered one”) Gives some power back to Senate and becomes first Roman imperator (emperor) Highly popular but still controls army (150,000 Romans + 130,000 subjects + 9,000 guards)

  10. Questions How did Augustus come to power? Why did Antony ally with Cleopatra?

  11. The Early Empire (14-180 CE) • Next four emperors from Augustus’s family take over more and more power from Senate • Tiberius • Caligula • Claudius • Nero • Remember: the emperor controls the army, not the Senate

  12. The Early Empire (cont.) • The PaxRomana(Roman Peace) – 100 years • Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, Marcus Aurelius • Treat ruling class with respect • End arbitrary executions • Maintain peace • Adopt capable men into family to provide good successors • Domestic programs to help people and provide building projects

  13. Questions Identify one characteristic of the PaxRomana Identify another characteristic of the PaxRomana

  14. Economic and Social Conditions Early Empire – prosperity and peace Trade from all over the empire (all the way to China) Still mostly farming Still huge gap between rich and poor

  15. Homework • In groups of 3, you will be creating a campaign poster and short speech for one Roman emperor to convince the class that he should join Augustus as one of the “Top 3 Greatest Roman Emperors of All Time” • This weekend, you need to do research on your assigned emperor and bring it to class on Monday. Focus on the following: • What did he accomplish? • What important events happened during his rule? • What important legacies did he leave behind?

  16. Assignments • Tiberius • Caligula • Claudius • Nero • Vespasian • Trajan • Hadrian • Antoninus Pius • Marcus Aurelius

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