The Fall of the Roman Republic and the Rise of an EmpireWHAT CAUSED THE ROMAN REPUBLIC TO DECLINE? WHY DID ROME BECOME AN EMPIRE?

The Decline of the Roman Republic

The Roman Republic began to decline around 133 BCE and eventually collapsed in 27 BCE

After the fall of the Republic, Rome would develop the largest empire before the common era

Causes for the Fall of the Roman Republic

1. Spread of slavery in the agricultural system

Cheap slave labor took jobs away from the average citizen

Slave uprisings caused political and social disturbances (i.e. Spartacus)

Causes for the Fall of the Roman Republic

2. Unemployment of small farmers going into cities

Small farms were transformed into large slave plantations, putting many out of work

Causes for the Fall of the Roman Republic

3. Devaluation of Roman currency Rapid increase in inflation

Causes for the Fall of the Roman Republic

4. The power of Julius Caesar Rome broke out into Civil War

Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar was born ca. 100 BCE and went to establish a career as both a skillful politician and military leader

In 59 BCE, he formed a close allegiance with Pompey (Roman Lieutenant) which enabled him to get elected as consul

Julius Caesar

Next, Caesar allied himself with Crassus (a Roman general and politician) Crassus was the wealthiest man in

Rome and financed many of Caesar’s military and political endeavors

Julius Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus created a partnership together known as The First Triumvirate

Julius Caesar

Crassus died in battle around 56 BCE

Caesar then went to war with Pompey and won“Venni, Viddi, Vicci”—I came, I saw, I

conqueredThis caused a civil war

Julius Caesar

Caesar then marched on Rome with his army and declared himself dictator for lifeBringing many reforms in the process (i.e.

opened the Senate to more than just Patricians, rebuilt Carthage, relieved debt, etc.)

Caesar served for just one year before he was assassinated

The Ides of March

The Senate was fearful of Caesar, they feared he would destroy the Republic They assassinated him on March 15,

44 BCE—”Beware of the Ides of March”

Rise of the Roman Empire

Rome broke out into a new civil war after Caesar’s assassinationCaesar was beloved by the Roman

masses

Marc Anthony (Caesar’s general) and Octavian (Caesar’s nephew) hunted down the murderers

Rise of the Roman Empire

Shortly after Marc Anthony and Octavian turned towards each other and fought for the power of Rome

Anthony made allies with Egypt and Queen Cleopatra (former lover and baby momma of Caesar)

Rise of the Roman Empire

In 31 BCE, Octavian defeated Marc Anthony and Cleopatra

The Senate renamed Octavian “Augustus”—meaning exalted one

Rome had now turned towards imperialism and Augustus was its first emperor