II. Roman Empire. A. Republic Collapses As Rome grew its Republican form of government became...
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Transcript of II. Roman Empire. A. Republic Collapses As Rome grew its Republican form of government became...
II. Roman Empire
A. Republic Collapses
• As Rome grew its Republican form of government became unstable
• As Rome grew the gap between rich and poor grew wider
• Rich landowners owned huge estates where slaves did the work
• Small farmers were unable to compete with slave labor
• Many were forced to sell their land and move to the city to find work
• 1/4th of Rome’s population was made up of
the urban poor
B. Help is on the Way
• Tiberius & Gaius Gracchus – Brothers who attempt to help the urban poor
• Upset Roman elites
• Both brothers met violent deaths • Civil war erupted in Rome following their
deaths
C. Julius Caesar• Strong leader and military genius who rose up
during the civil war
• 59 BC – Caesar was elected Consul
• Following Roman tradition he served one year but declares himself Governor of Gaul (France)
• Caesar led his men and conquered all of Gaul
• 46 BC – Caesar returned to Rome with the support of his army and was named dictator
• 44 BC – Caesar is named dictator for life
“Crossing the Rubicon”
D. Caesar’s Reforms
• Extended the right to vote to many people newly added to the Roman rule
• Made many reforms to help the poor
• Created many public works jobs
• Also created the modern day calendar system (July is named after him)
E. Caesar’s Death• March 15, 44 BC – Caesar was
assassinated by members of the Senate who feared he was becoming too powerful
• Known as the Ides of March
Assassination of Julius Caesar
F. Beginning of an Empire
• Civil war broke out again following Caesar’s death
• Octavian and Mark Antony joined together and ruled Rome for 10 years
• Their alliance ends in jealousy and violence
G. Octavian vs. Antony• Mark Antony met the Egyptian Queen Cleopatra (former
wife of Julius Caesar) while leading Roman troops
• Fell in love and formed an alliance
• Octavian accused Antony of plotting against Rome and civil war broke out again
• 31 BC – Octavian is able to defeat the combined forces of Mark Antony and Cleopatra – Battle of Actium
Cleopatra
H. Pax Romana
• Octavian became ruler of all Rome
• Augustus – Title given to Octavian which means the exalted one
• Pax Romana – 200 year period of Roman peace
Caesar Augustus
I. Society and Culture• Many people in the Roman Empire were jobless
• Government gave out daily grain rations
• Government also provide free games, race, mock battles, and gladiator contest
• Colosseum – Stadium that held over 50,000 people where gladiator contests took place
A Look Inside