As Rome grew, the aristocrats grew richer, and the poor grew poorer
The rich lived on large estates (or farms) where up to thousands of slaves worked
Slaves in Rome were often conquered people
Slavery was not based on race Slaves had to work on the large estates Slaves made up 1/3 the population
Small farmers could not compete with these large estates
Many were retired soldiers Some small farmers sold their farms
and worked for the aristocrats Many quit farming
and moved tothe city to find work
To add to the troubles, the Romans created too much currency. Prices of goods and
services increased while wages (pay) stayed the same
Called inflation
The most powerful politicians (Patricians) are also the most powerful generals
These generals started to recruit and pay their own armies from the poor people Those armies loyal to the general, not the
Republic
Brilliant general Conquered Gaul
(France) for Rome Fought with his men,
they were dedicated to him
Caesar teamed up with Crassus and Pompey to dominate the Republic as the First Triumvirate
The Roman Senate worried that Caesar was becoming too popular and powerful
They ordered him to disband his army and return to Rome
Caesar Pompey Crassus
Caesar defied the order and marched his men across the Rubicon River, and into Rome
Defeated other members of the triumvirate
Took power and was named dictator for life Ruled with total power
Expanded citizenship to provinces Created jobs by building
government buildings Increased soldiers’ pay Very popular with the
people
The Roman senate became worried about Caesar again Some considered him a tyrant
Several Senators, including Marcus Brutus and Gaius Cassius, assassinated him by stabbing him to death (Ides of March)
Caesar’s nephew and adopted son Very shrewd politician After Caesar’s assassination,
Rome broke into civil war. Octavian emerged as one of
the most powerful Romans
Octavian teamed up with Lepidus and Marc Antony to defeat Caesar’s enemies and take control of the Republic
Eventually Octavian became the most powerful, defeating Antony and his Egyptian ally Cleopatra. (Antony and Cleopatra then committed suicide together). He then forced Lepidus into exile.
When Augustus defeated Antony, he became Rome‘s first emperor
Maintained power through control of the army and through favors
While the institutions of the republic remained, they had little real power
Roman Peace 27 BC- 180 AD Expansion and solidification of Roman
Empire Afforded safety and leisure time inside
the empire Some people talk about a Pax Americana
since World War II
Romans build a network of sophisticated and durable roads Good for:
Trade Travel Moving armies around Communicating with
provinces
Uniform system of money/currency Peace encourages trade and prosperity
Trade inside the empire flourished Trade with India and China
In such a time of peace, stability returned to social classes
Renewed emphasis on the family
To control the mass or poor in Rome, the Romans hosted holidays during which Gladiators and/or exotic wild animals would fight each other
Uniform rule of law Developed civil service Expanded control of Europe and
Mediterranean world
Top Related