Collapse of the Roman Republic

Goal: Explain the causes and outcomes of the end

of the Republic

Growing Gap Between Rich & Poor

• The “Losers” of the Punic Wars were the small farmers– Hannibal’s army

had destroyed the countryside

– Small farmers could not afford to rebuild their farms• Forced to sell their

land to wealthy landowners

• The “Winners” of the Punic Wars were the wealthy landowners– Bought off land

from small farmers

– Built huge estates known as latifundia

Growing Gap Between Rich & Poor

• Why didn’t wealthy landowners need laborers?Large numbers of slaves brought in from conquered territories

• Small farmers could not compete with latifundia–Many flocked to city for work for low

wages• These urban, landless

poor = proletariat

Early Reform• The Brothers Gracchus– Tiberius & Gaius Gracchus – elected as

tribunes– Attempted to help Rome’s poor• Limit size of large estates & give extra land to

poor

– Opposed by Senate b/c seen as threat• Both brothers assassinated

• Civil War erupted in Rome

Army Leaders• Soldiers fought for any

general who land and gold– Loyal to commander, NOT to

the republic– Rival generals competed with one

another

Army Leaders• Military leader Sulla defeated Marius in

civil war• Sulla declared himself dictator– Doubled size of senate– Reduced authority of tribunes– Killed anyone who threatened

his power• Marius stepped down in 79 BC

The Rise of Julius Caesar• Julius Caesar was a powerful military genius• Caesar joined with Pompey (a general) &

Crassus (a wealthy Roman)– Caesar is elected consul in

59 BC– Caesar, Crassus, & Pompey

ruled for 10 years as the First Triumvirate

Caesar’s Genius• Stepped down from consul after 1 year

(tradition)• Conquered and appointed

himself governor of Gaul (known as the Gallic Wars)– Reported his victories

back to Rome which gained him popularity and support

–Won loyalty and devotion from his troops

Trouble in the 1st Triumvirate • Pompey and Crassus feel threatened

by Caesar’s ambitions– Senate ordered Caesar to disband his

army– Instead, Caesar marches

his army over the Rubicon River & heads toward Rome

• Pompey fled but his armies are defeated by Caesar

Caesar as Dictator• Upon return to Rome, Caesar is appointed

dictator by the senate– Named dictator for life in 44 BC

• Caesar made several reforms1) Extended Roman citizenship to people in provinces2) Expanded the senate3) Created jobs through construction of public

buildings4) Started colonies where landless could own property5) Increased pay for soldiers

Beware the Ides of March

• Nobles and senators were fearful of Caesar’s growing power and popularity– Plot led by Marcus Brutus & Gaius

Cassius to assassinate Caesar– Caesar was stabbed

to death in the senate on March 15, 44 B.C.

The 2nd Triumvirate

• Civil war erupted after Caesar’s death

• The 2nd Triumvirate is formed by– Octavian (Caesar’s adopted son)–Mark Antony (general)– Lepidus (powerful politician)

• Lepidus was forced to retire, and Octavian and Mark Antony became rivals

Octavian v. Mark Antony• Mark Antony met Queen Cleopatra of

Egypt• Octavian accused him of attempting to

rule Rome from Egypt• Octavian defeated the forces of Mark

Antony & Cleopatra at the Battle of Actium–Mark Antony & Cleopatra commit suicide

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esUMvBL3gnY

Beginning of Empire• Octavian became the unchallenged

ruler of Rome– Accepted title of

“Augustus” or “exalted one”

– Also the title of “imperator” or “supreme military commander”

• Why was the divide between rich and poor growing in the late Roman Republic?

• How did Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus want to reform Rome?

• Why were soldiers no longer loyal to the Republic?

• Who joined to form the First Triumvirate and what was its significance?

• How did Julius Caesar get appointed dictator for life? Why would the people in favor of this?

•  How did Caesar reform Rome during his dictatorship?

• Why was Caesar assassinated and by whom?

•  Who formed the Second Triumvirate and how did it fall apart (why does it not last)?

• How does Octavian make the Republic an Empire?

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFAblvgTGzw