The Decline of the The Decline of the RepublicRepublic

The Roman Republic, in the face The Roman Republic, in the face of changing social and economic of changing social and economic

conditions, failed to survive conditions, failed to survive challenges by Julius Caesar, challenges by Julius Caesar,

succumbed to civil war, and was succumbed to civil war, and was replaced by an imperial regime, replaced by an imperial regime,

the the Roman EmpireRoman Empire. .

Social and Economic Social and Economic ProblemsProblems

Due to her conquests, Due to her conquests, Rome Rome became fabulously wealthybecame fabulously wealthy. . Doesn’t sound like such a bad

thing, does it? Generals, officials, and Generals, officials, and

traders became rich and a traders became rich and a new class of wealthy Romans new class of wealthy Romans emerged.emerged.

Social and Economic Social and Economic ProblemsProblems

This new class bought up huge This new class bought up huge estatesestates called called latifundalatifunda. .

Conquered people Conquered people taken as slaves taken as slaves worked these large estatesworked these large estates, providing , providing food for the growing empire. food for the growing empire.

Wide spread use of slave labor hurt Wide spread use of slave labor hurt small farmers. small farmers. Small farmersSmall farmers could not could not produce grain as cheaply as slave labor. produce grain as cheaply as slave labor.

(Perspective: Wal-mart vs. the local small (Perspective: Wal-mart vs. the local small business)business)

Social and Economic Social and Economic ProblemsProblems

In addition, grain prices dropped due In addition, grain prices dropped due to imports from conquered lands. to imports from conquered lands. (Too much supply!)(Too much supply!)

Small farmers were forced to Small farmers were forced to sell sell their land and migrate to citiestheir land and migrate to cities to to look for work.look for work.

The cities already had The cities already had high high unemploymentunemployment problems, small problems, small farmers added to their swelling ranks.farmers added to their swelling ranks.

Social and Economic Social and Economic ProblemsProblems

Inflation & Devaluation of Roman Inflation & Devaluation of Roman currencycurrency Inflation is when the Inflation is when the general level of prices of goods general level of prices of goods

and services increases faster than consumers’ and services increases faster than consumers’ incomeincome. That means the amount of goods and . That means the amount of goods and services consumers are able to purchase goes services consumers are able to purchase goes down. down.

Taxes had been increasing because Taxes had been increasing because it cost the government more money it cost the government more money to administer the growing empire.to administer the growing empire.

InflationInflationWhen prices rise and wagesWhen prices rise and wages

stay the same.stay the same.

PPRRIICCEESS WAGESWAGES

Week 1: Income=$25.00Week 1: Income=$25.00Movie Tickets/snacks= Movie Tickets/snacks=

$17.50$17.50Money left over=$7.50Money left over=$7.50Week 2: Income=$25.00Week 2: Income=$25.00Movie Tickets prices went Movie Tickets prices went

upupMovie Movie

Tickets/snacks=$22.75Tickets/snacks=$22.75Money left over=$2.25Money left over=$2.25

Reasons for the DeclineReasons for the Decline of the Republic of the Republic

1.1. Spread of slavery in the Spread of slavery in the agricultural system agricultural system

2.2. Migration of small farmers into Migration of small farmers into cities and unemployment cities and unemployment

3.3. Devaluation of Roman Devaluation of Roman currency; inflationcurrency; inflation

4.4. Civil war over the power of Civil war over the power of Julius CaesarJulius Caesar

Chaos in RomeChaos in RomeRiots, assassinations, and slave Riots, assassinations, and slave

revolts sent Rome into revolts sent Rome into chaoschaos. . High High unemployment, inflationunemployment, inflation, ,

and general discontent caused and general discontent caused riots riots to break out in the city.to break out in the city.

The Gracchi brothers attempted The Gracchi brothers attempted land reform but were land reform but were assassinated assassinated by senators who by senators who perceived the reforms as threats perceived the reforms as threats to senatorial power.to senatorial power.

~Chaotic Events~~Chaotic Events~Spartacus and Slave RevoltsSpartacus and Slave Revolts

Chaotic Events ~ SpartacusChaotic Events ~ Spartacus73-71 BCE73-71 BCE

A former slave and gladiator, led a rebellion A former slave and gladiator, led a rebellion that humbled mighty Romethat humbled mighty Rome Army of 90,000 escaped slavesArmy of 90,000 escaped slaves Conquered much of southern Italy in 2 yearsConquered much of southern Italy in 2 years

Rebellion came to an end when Spartacus Rebellion came to an end when Spartacus was killed in a battle at Lucania.was killed in a battle at Lucania.

Harsh ResultsHarsh Results Although 3,000 Roman soldiers were found Although 3,000 Roman soldiers were found

unharmed in Spartacus’ camp, the Romans unharmed in Spartacus’ camp, the Romans decided to deter future rebellions. 6,000 of the decided to deter future rebellions. 6,000 of the rebel slaves were crucified along the road to rebel slaves were crucified along the road to Rome.Rome.

First TriumvirateFirst Triumvirate60 BCE60 BCE

First Triumvirate was an alliance of 3 First Triumvirate was an alliance of 3 men against the power of the senatemen against the power of the senateJulius CaesarJulius Caesar - popularity - popularityMarcus Licinius Crassus-wealth Marcus Licinius Crassus-wealth PompeyPompey-military campaigns -military campaigns

They needed one anothers strengths to They needed one anothers strengths to get what they needed out of the get what they needed out of the Senate. Senate.

Temporarily Temporarily brought order to Romebrought order to Rome

First TriumvirateFirst TriumvirateOrder was restored in Rome, what’s

next?Caesar left Rome and went in search of more

military conquests.Crassus left Rome & served as a Governor in

Syria. He later invaded Mesopotamia where he was killed.

Pompey remained in Rome as a ConsulPompey becomes jealous of Caesar’s military

successes

Julius CaesarJulius CaesarCaesar used his position in Gaul to Caesar used his position in Gaul to win a string of win a string of military successesmilitary successes, in Gaul, Germany and Britain., in Gaul, Germany and Britain.

Gained enormous popularity in Rome by publishing Gained enormous popularity in Rome by publishing reports of his campaigns in the Gallic Wars. reports of his campaigns in the Gallic Wars.

He returned to Rome with his veteran legions in 49 BCE. He returned to Rome with his veteran legions in 49 BCE. By bringing his legions across the Rubicon river without By bringing his legions across the Rubicon river without disarming them first, he announced his rebellion against disarming them first, he announced his rebellion against Rome. “Alea iacta est” = “The die is cast”Rome. “Alea iacta est” = “The die is cast”

Having command over the loyalty of most of the troops, Having command over the loyalty of most of the troops, even those under Pompey's command, Caesar was easily even those under Pompey's command, Caesar was easily able to secure control without the need for conflict. able to secure control without the need for conflict.

Caesar vs. PompeyCaesar vs. Pompey Caesar’s wealth and Caesar’s wealth and

power threatened power threatened PompeyPompey. Civil war . Civil war erupted between erupted between Pompey Pompey and Caesarand Caesar. Much of this . Much of this war took place in Egypt war took place in Egypt where the queen, where the queen, Cleopatra, became Cleopatra, became Caesar’s mistress. Caesar’s mistress. Caesar Caesar defeated Pompey.defeated Pompey.

Caesar returned to Rome Caesar returned to Rome in 44 BCE where he forced in 44 BCE where he forced the senate to name him the senate to name him “Dictator for life” “Dictator for life”

Julius CaesarJulius Caesar Caesar recognized that Rome was more Caesar recognized that Rome was more

than a city, but rather an empire. than a city, but rather an empire. Caesar made many Caesar made many reformsreforms which would which would

enable Rome to manage this empire.enable Rome to manage this empire.Attempted to Attempted to control debtcontrol debtRegulate trafficRegulate traffic in Rome in Rome Impose import tariffs to help Impose import tariffs to help Italian industryItalian industry. . Began an ambitious Began an ambitious building programbuilding program ( (ForumForum))Took measures to Took measures to prevent the floodingprevent the flooding of the of the

Tiber River.Tiber River.Established many Established many coloniescolonies and was generous in and was generous in

his extension of citizenship to cities in his extension of citizenship to cities in Gaul and Gaul and Spain.Spain.

Julius CaesarJulius CaesarCaesar’s Caesar’s JulianJulian calendar, with a calendar, with a

minor modification by Pope minor modification by Pope Gregory XIII in the 16th century Gregory XIII in the 16th century AD (to correct drift in dates for AD (to correct drift in dates for religious observations) remains religious observations) remains the calendar in use today. the calendar in use today.

Months Months before 45 BCE before 45 BCE as of 45 BCE as of 45 BCEIaniarius Ianiarius  29 29 3131Februarius Februarius  28 (LY 23, 24)28 (LY 23, 24) 28 (LY 29)28 (LY 29)Martius Martius 31 31 31 31 Aprilis Aprilis 29 29 3030MaiusMaius    31 31 3131Iunius Iunius  29 29 3030Quintilis (Iulius) Quintilis (Iulius) 31 31 3131Sextilis (Augustus)Sextilis (Augustus) 29 29 3131September September  29 29 3030October October  31 31 3131November November  29 29 3030December December  29 29 3131Intercalaris Intercalaris  0 (leap years: 27)0 (leap years: 27) (abolished) (abolished)

(after shortened February) (after shortened February)

Julian CalendarJulian Calendar

The AssassinationThe AssassinationOn the On the 15th of March 44BCE15th of March 44BCE (the famous Ides of (the famous Ides of

March) Caesar was called to a meeting in the March) Caesar was called to a meeting in the senate, a meeting held in the Theatre of senate, a meeting held in the Theatre of Pompey to discuss the preparations for the war Pompey to discuss the preparations for the war against Parthia. On his arrival he was against Parthia. On his arrival he was surrounded by a group of senators, led by surrounded by a group of senators, led by Marcus Junius Brutus, who pulled out knives Marcus Junius Brutus, who pulled out knives from under their togas and from under their togas and stabbed him 23 stabbed him 23 timestimes. Caesar was left dead on the floor at the . Caesar was left dead on the floor at the feet of a statue of Pompey. Leading to another feet of a statue of Pompey. Leading to another round of civil war.round of civil war.

Marc AntonyMarc Antony, who was still consul, moved , who was still consul, moved quickly to take over from Caesar, but when quickly to take over from Caesar, but when Caesar's will was read to the senate, a little Caesar's will was read to the senate, a little known nephew of his, Gaius known nephew of his, Gaius OctavianOctavian, was , was adopted and made principal heir. Marc Antony, adopted and made principal heir. Marc Antony, unwilling to accept this, tried in dispute the unwilling to accept this, tried in dispute the legality of the will, and this conflict plunged legality of the will, and this conflict plunged Rome into yet another protracted civil war.Rome into yet another protracted civil war.

In 31 BCE, In 31 BCE, OctavianOctavian defeated the forces of defeated the forces of Antony and his ally and lover, Queen Antony and his ally and lover, Queen Cleopatra, at the battle of Cleopatra, at the battle of ActiumActium. The lovers . The lovers committed suicide soon after. committed suicide soon after.

Octavian prevailed in the end, becoming the Octavian prevailed in the end, becoming the first Roman Emperor under the name of first Roman Emperor under the name of Augustus.Augustus.

This was the end of the This was the end of the RomanRoman Republic!Republic!

The AftermathThe Aftermath

Caesar Caesar 1. http://www.cleanvideosearch.com/media/

action/yt/watch?videoId=6nuwEH-v0Bc