Ancient Rome

Section 2From Republic to Empire

Background

In the early days of the roman Republic, farmers fulfilled their duty to Rome by serving in the army

As Rome grew, the aristocracy became more powerful

As Rome became a more powerful force in the Mediterranean, problems arose in Rome itself

Growing Unrest Senate and political offices controlled by small

circle of wealthy and powerful families Wealthy landowners bought out small farmers Eventually these farmers drifted to the cities and

formed a large class of landless poor Large gap between rich and poor created

tension

Two Brothers

Two brothers named Tiberius and Gaius tried to pass land reform bills

These bills included: Limits to the size of big estates Gave land to the poorBrothers were murdered by the members of the

Senate who were part of the wealthy landowners

Civil War

82-31 BC Ambitious men competed for power and

money

1st Triumvirate

Three men emerged as victors in the civil wars Julius Caesar, Crassus, and Pompey Formed a triumvirate – a government by three

people of equal power Crassus dies, and Caesar defeats Pompey for

power Caesar eventually becomes the single ruler

Julius Caesar Became dictator in 45 BC Gave land to the poor Created jobs Increased senate to 900 members Granted citizenship to his supports Introduced the solar calendar Murdered in 44 BC because he was getting too

powerful

2nd Triumvirate

Octavian (Caesar’s nephew)Anthony (Caesar’s right hand man)Lepidus (Caesar’s army commander)

After a few years only Octavian remained Octavian became supreme ruler and

became known as Augustus

Age of Augustus Became the first Roman emperor Kept a large army Agricultural and trade economy Stabilized frontiers of the Roman empire Conquered many new lands Built public buildings Set up a civil service Died in AD 14 Divided Rome into east and west

Pax Romana

Early Rome under Augustus started the Pax Romana meaning “Roman Peace”

A 200 year time of peace and prosperity Emperors during this time created new social

reforms State funded programs to help educate the poor Building of aqueducts, bridges, roads, and

harbors

Expansion of the Empire

Roman empire coverd 3 ½ million square miles in its height

50 million population Citizenship granted to every free person Spread of Roman culture

Economy and Society

Still great gap between rich and poor Wealthy had lives of leisure and lived in

luxury villas on large estates Poor worked in shops and markets,

depended on the emperor’s handouts of grain to survive

Activity #3 Get a book Get a white piece of paper from Mrs. Murray Turn to page 158 You will draw and label map titled Roman Empire: Trade

and Expansion Must include:

Roman Empire (colored in) Trade routes 6 of the 13 goods traded (your choice) with symbols for each of

the 6 A key telling me what is what