BIG QUESTIONS

1
BIG QUESTIONS

• How did Italys geography help the Romans unite
  the peninsula?
• How did Roman government become more democratic?
• Why was Rome able to conquer a vast empire?

2
Big Questions

• How did winning an Empire affect Rome?
• Why did the Roman Republic decline?
• What were the strengths and weaknesses of the
  Roman Empire?

3
The men who fight their countrys battles enjoy
nothing but the air and sunlight. They fight and
die to protect the wealth and luxury of others.
They are called masters of the world, but they
have not a foot of ground to call their
own. Tiberius Gracchus
4
I. Effects of Roman Expansion

• A new class of wealthy Romans emerges generals,
  officials, traders
• Use of slave labor increases
• Small farmers cant compete
• Grain from conquered land drives down the price
• Landless farmers flock to Rome looking for work
• Growing gap between rich and poor causes unrest
• New wealth increases corruption. Greed and self
  interest replace virtues such as simplicity, hard
  work, and devotion to duty.

5
II. Attempts at reform

• Tiberius Gracchus a patrician who is elected to
  the Tribune is killed by a mob in street violence
• Gaius Gracchus takes his place and is also killed
  by a mob
• The killing of the Gracchus brothers means that
  the Republic is no longer able to resolve issues
  through debate and discussion.
• Violence is the new law of the land

6
III. Civil War in Rome

• Senators desire more power and are reluctant to
  give up control to the Tribune
• Reformist politicians gain popularity
• Sensing weakness slaves begin to revolt
• Conquered territories revolt
• Generals become more powerful

7
IV. Julius Caesar

• Conquered Gaul (France)
• Pompey is jealous of Caesars fame and orders him
  to disband his army and return home.
• Caesar crosses the Rubicon and marches into Rome.
• Civil war erupts in Rome
• Caesar becomes Dictator of Rome for life!
• Assassinated on March 15, 44BC

8
V. Republic to Empire

• Mark Anthony and Octavian fight for control of
  Rome.
• Octavian defeats Mark Anthony and takes control
  of Rome, he is renamed Augustus
• He rules from 31 B.C. to A.D. 14
• Pax Romana Roman Peace, a 200 year period of
  peace and prosperity
• Ends with the death of Marcus Aurelius

9
Big Questions

• How did winning an Empire affect Rome?
• Why did the Roman Republic decline?
• What were the strengths and weaknesses of the
  Roman Empire?

10
Activity

• Working alone read Chapter 6 section 2
• Answer questions 1 - 8 on page 165
• Due at the beginning of class tomorrow

11
Activity

• Working alone outline chapter 6 section 2 pages
  160-165