From Republic to Empire

SOL 6e,f

Causes of Roman Republic Collapse

• Causes for the decline of the Roman Republic• Spread of slavery in the agricultural system• Migration of small farmers into cities and

unemployment• Civil war over the power of Julius Caesar• Devaluation of Roman currency; inflation

More than Rome can Chew• Military conquests abroad– negative

impact on Rome• Roman republic created for an city, not

an empire• Wealthy Romans establish farming

estates in provinces• Large Roman territory is a drain on

resources• Roman military is needed in other places• Rome’s wealth depleting

The Republic Collapses• Economic Problems– Gap between rich and poor widens as Roman

Republic expands– Farmers and former soldiers lose jobs/land to large

estates (use of slaves) and become homeless/unemployed

– Homeless/unemployed move into the city and rely on the government to support them

– Devaluation of Roman currency leads to inflation

The Republic Collapses

• Economic Problems– Two tribunes, Tiberius and Gaius, try to help the

poor, but are murdered by Senate-supported mob– Civil war—conflict between groups within the same

country breaks out between rich and poor

The Republic Collapses

• Military Weakens– Military becomes less disciplined and disloyal.– Soldiers recruited from the poor; show loyalty

only to their generals

Republic to Empire• Julius Caesar Takes Control–Military leader Julius Caesar is elected consul in

59 B.C.–Caesar, Crassus, and Pompey form a

Triumvirate—a group of three leaders.–Military victories give Caesar increasing

popularity and power. (Crassus killed in battle)–Pompey fears Caesar’s growing power and

challenges him.–Caesar defeats Pompey’s armies in Greece,

Asia, Spain, and Egypt–Caesar is named dictator for life in 44 B.C.

Republic to Empire

• Caesar’s Reforms– Caesar makes reforms: grants wider citizenship,

creates jobs for the poor, gives land to former soldiers, increases number of Senate members

– Group of senators opposes Caesar and murders him on March 15, 44 B.C.

Republic to Empire• Beginning of the Empire– 43 B.C. Caesar’s supporters take control; become

Second Triumvirate– Octavian Caesar, Mark Antony, Marcus Lepidus

alliance ends in jealousy and violence– Octavian forces Lepidus to retire, uses rumors of

Marc Antony’s relationship to stir anger of Romans– In 31 B.C. Marc Antony and Cleopatra’s forces are

defeated by Octavian at Actium– Octavian accepts title of Augustus, “exalted one,” and

rules Rome, becomes first Emperor of Rome

Republic to Empire

• Empire: Unified and enlarged, using imperial authority and the military

• Failure to provide for peaceful succession of Emperors