Rome Becomes an Empire

Key Question: What causes Rome to change from a Republic to an

Empire?

Patricians versus Plebeians

• Both the consuls and the Senate represented the interests of the patricians– the hereditary aristocrats and wealthy classes

• There were tension between the Patricians and Plebeians- poor working class.

In honor of the Roman plebeians, freshmen at West

Point are called plebes

Republic Crumbling• Tiberius and Gaius Gracchi

worked to limit the amount of conquered land an individual could hold

• They met strong resistance from the wealthy and ruling classes and were both assassinated (around 120 BC)

• Years of civil wars would follow. Eventually resulting an Oligarchy called a Triumvirate (3 person rule).

First Triumvirate 53-45BC• For about 8 years

Rome was ruled equally by three people.

• Julius Caesar• Gniaus Pompey• Marcus Crassus

What are some problems with anOligarchy?

Another Civil War will breakoutBetween Caesar and Pompey

Julius Caesar• The Senate does not trust

Caesar because he is very popular among the Plebeian Class.

• Therefore senate exiles him to Gaul

• Julius Caesar became famous as a General in Gaul.

• He conquered Gaul and made it part of the Roman Empire

• Pompey is afraid of Caesars growing power

Gaul (now mostly France)

“Veni, vidi, vici”“I came, I saw, I conquered”

Gnaius Gnaius PompeyPompeyGnaius Gnaius PompeyPompey

Civil WarCivil WarCivil WarCivil War

Julius CaesarJulius CaesarJulius CaesarJulius Caesar

Pompey and Julius Caesarfought a Civil war for the power and control of Rome

Crossing the Rubicon, Crossing the Rubicon, 49 BC49 BC

Crossing the Rubicon, Crossing the Rubicon, 49 BC49 BC

““Alea iacta est”Alea iacta est”

““The Die is Cast!”The Die is Cast!”

““Alea iacta est”Alea iacta est”

““The Die is Cast!”The Die is Cast!”

•Julius Caesar defeats Pompeyon the battlefield

•Pompey flees to Egypt

•Next he turns his sights on Rome itself. •To get to Rome he must cross Rubicon River.

Julius Caesar Crosses The Rubicon

Julius Caesar is declared “Dictator for Life” by the Roman Senate.

Julius Caesar in Egypt

Cleopatra Julius Caesar

-Caesar chases Pompey to Egypt and meets Cleopatra.-They have a child together. (Caesarion)-Cleopatra help convince Caesar to start wearing a crown.

Caesar is Murdered!

• Caesar is Killed by fellow Senators

“Roman People you are free from Dictatorship” Brutus

Caesar Augustus

• 63 BC-14 AD• Octavian was winner of 18 years

civil war (Sea Battle of Actium)• Designated heir of Julius Caesar• Was of the family of Caesar

(adopted) so he took the name Caesar

• Given the name Augustus by the Senate

Battle of Actium• Cleopatra believed that her son Caeserion was the rightful

Emperor. (She had a point)• Octivian/Augustus would not have this and sent his best

general, Mark Antony, to deal with her.• Mark Antony, however, fell for Cleopatra. Soon they both

were planning a coup or government overthrow.• Octavian assembled a fleet and defeated Antony at the the

sea Battle of Actium. • Antony and Cleopatra commit suicide.

Rome’s Golden Age

• Under Augustus Rome reaches its greatest power.

• By this time Rome has a vast culture that includes art and entertainment.

• Gladiators, Chariot racers are well known.

• Pax Romana- Roman Piece

Principal Roman Emperors

Roman Exhibit In Groups you will make a exhibit detailing the change from Republic to Empire. Create a poster describing the great change Rome went through from 120BC-30BC

Your Poster should:• Explain why the republic fell apart. • Info about the social division in Rome (Plebeians and

Patricians)• Include the following people: Tiberious and Gaius

Gracci, Julius Caesar, Pompey, Augustus, Mark Antony, Cleopatra

Use your notes and book to gather information about the assignment.