Republican Government Collapsed in Rome

1
Republican Government Collapsed in Rome

• Even though they were victorious, Rome was hurt
  in many ways from the Punic Wars

2
The Gap Between the Rich and the Poor Grows

• Farms that had been destroyed by Hannibal were
  sold to wealthy citizens and turned into
  latifundias
• Began raising cattle rather than growing grain
• Thousands of captives from wars provided cheap
  labor

3
Where do uprooted veterans of war go now?

• Hard to find jobs, as slaves were so plentiful
  and much cheaper
• New class develops of urban, landless poor as
  people move to the cities looking for work
  Proletariat
• Discontent, rioted often

4
Wealth Corrupts the Rich

• Winning war means growth of loot and war booty
• Generals can take some of the spoils of war for
  himself and give the rest to the Roman treasury
• Patricians build mansions and enjoy exotic food,
  lavish entertainment

5
Slavery Becomes Widespread

• After Punic War, 75,000 captives sold into
  slavery
• Thousands of captives were sold every year
• Worked in mines, households, farms, shipyards
  etc.
• Some were teachers, musicians, secretaries, (more
  expensive)

6
Uprisings

• Danger of slave uprising is constant Every slave
  we own is an enemy we harbor.
• Gladiators were used as public entertainment to
  fight other warriors or wild beasts
• Spartacus led an uprising of 70,000 that
  terrorized Roman countryside for 2 years. When
  they were beaten, 6,000 of his followers were
  crucified

7
Threats to Roman Republic

• Richest families of the city, plebian as well as
  patrician, competed for political power, often
  violently
• Reformers who tried to help the poor gain land
  and limit the power of the aristocratic senate
  were murdered

8
Traditions are broken

• A popular general, Marius, was elected Consul 5
  times in a row
• He allowed the poor to enlist (prior to this only
  landowners could serve in the army)
• They became professional soldiers, enlisting for
  16 years and gaining food, weapons and loot from
  generals
• Generals used army to gain political power,
  abolishing 6 month limit on dictator

9
Julius Caesar

• Caesar was a patrician and elected governor of a
  province in Spain
• Charmed crowds with parties and speeches

10
The First Triumvirate

• Caesar joined forces with Crassus (a wealthy
  patrician) and Pompey (a popular general) to rule
  as a triumvirate.
• They bribed and bullied the Senate into following
  their decisions no more checks and balances

11

• As governor of Gaul, Caesar waged many wars on
  Europe, reportedly killing 1/3 of the people in
  the land it conquered
• He shared in all the hardships suffered by his
  soldiers, making them loyal to him
• He sent home accounts of his victories

12
Caesar Makes Himself Ruler of Rome

• Poorer citizens loved him, senators become
  alarmed at his growing popularity and power
• Triumvirate falls apart by 50 B.C. Crassus was
  killed in battle and Pompey becomes Caesars
  rival
• The senate ordered Caesar to disband his legions
  and return to Rome

13
Crossing the Rubicon

• On Jan.10, 49 B.C. Caesar rode across the Rubicon
  River in Italy with his troops, defying the
  senates order and challenging Pompey
• Pompey escaped as Caesars troops occupy Rome,
  fleeing to Egypt where he was murdered
• He is appointed dictator for 10 years by the
  senate

14
Absolute Ruler

• As dictator, Caesar makes many changes
• Expanded senate to 900 men (added loyal
  followers)
• Landowners had to use free men for at least 1/3
  of workforce instead of slave labor
• Created more jobs and founded colonies to provide
  land for Romes landless poor
• Set up new calendar

15
Assassination

• March 15, 44 B.C. Caesar was stabbed to death by
  a group of senators. They were led by Caesars
  friend Brutus
• Senators feared he was trying to make himself
  king, (Roman law permitted the killing of anyone
  trying to do such a thing)

16
Civil War followed Caesars Death

• Civil War breaks out and a second triumvirate is
  formed of victorious generals
• Octavian (Caesars grandnephew)
• Mark Antony (Caesars comrade)
• Lepidus (politician)
• Had conspirators in Caesars death killed

17
War Between Octavian and Antony

• Antony meets Cleopatra, Caesars former mistress,
  and the two have a love affair. Antony then
  wants to divorce Octavians sister
• Civil War Again!
• Octavians fleet defeats Antony and Cleopatras.
  The couple committed suicide.
• Octavian made Egypt a province of Rome and
  becomes sole ruler

18
Augustus

• The senate convinces Octavian to accept the title
  Augustus, meaning exalted one
• Roman state is no longer a Republic, but is ruled
  by one man as an empire, though the senate and
  assembly continued to meet on business with some
  power
• He ruled for 41 years while Rome experienced the
  most peaceful and prosperous era The Pax Romana