6 th Grade UBD Unit 6 From Republic

6 th Grade UBD - Unit 6 - From Republic to Empire

Essential Question �How did Rome's transition from Republic to Empire impact its citizens?

Preview � Rome Becomes an Empire- Julius Caesar’s defeat of Pompey led to the end of the Roman Republic and the founding of the Roman Empire. � The Growth of the Empire- The Roman Empire grew quickly in its first 100 years. At last, it grew too large to be governed easily.

Key Ideas- Rome Becomes an Empire � Caesar was originally Pompey’s ally in the First Triumvirate. � Caesar’s victory in Gaul gave him the political strength to defeat Pompey. � Some members of the Roman Senate were worried about Caesar’s growing power. As a result, they assassinated him. � Octavian, Caesar’s nephew, won the civil war that followed Caesar’s death. He became Augustus, the emperor.

From Republic to Empire � Rome’s transition from republic to empire had a great impact on its citizens. � Under the republic, the Roman people had the ability to choose their own leaders and representatives.

Caesars Path to Power Video- Caesars Path to Power

Key Term Julius Caesar- A Roman general and statesman. He was also a prolific writer. He laid the groundwork for the transformation of Rome from a republic to an empire.

From Republic to Empire � With the rise of Julius Caesar and the creation of the Roman Empire, people lost their right to choose their leaders. � The government was led by emperors whose power to rule was passed on through their family lines.

The Rise of Julius Caesar � The creation of the empire greatly limited citizens’ political rights, and this political system was marked by violence and disorder. � However, it also led to many benefits, including expansion, wealth, and diversity.

Political and Military Success � Caesar was very ambitious. He served in the Roman military and was a skillful soldier. � He also was a clever politician and a skilled writer and speaker.

Political and Military Success � In its early years, Rome was a republic guided by democratic political beliefs. � After a series of successes in the Punic Wars, Rome grew larger and stronger. At that time it was ruled by a triumvirate, a group of three leaders.

Key Term Triumvirate. In ancient Rome a triumvirate was a ruling commission of three officials.

Political and Military Success � One of these leaders, Julius Caesar, used military successes to increase his power. � He then defeated his main rival in the triumvirate, Pompey, and declared himself the sole ruler of Rome.

Political and Military Success � After Julius Caesar declared himself the sole ruler of Rome the government began the process by which it ceased to be a republic and became an empire.

Dictator for Life � Caesar’s rise ushered in a time of great expansion and success as well as great turmoil. � Roman territory began to grow tremendously, and many of Rome’s common people loved their new leader.

The Ides of March � However, a group of senators, fearing Caesar’s unrestrained power, assassinated him. � This act led to a lengthy and bloody civil war in Rome.

Key Term Ides of March- A day on the Roman calendar that corresponds to March 15 th. It has became notorious as the date of the assassination of Julius Caesar.

Key Term Assassinate- To murder (an important person) in a surprise attack for political or religious reasons.

The Murder of Caesar Video- The Murder of Caesar

The New Emperor � After Caesar’s death, Rome broke out into a civil war. � The civil war in Rome, finally ended with the ascension of Octavian as the emperor Augustus.

The First Emperor Video- The First Emperor

The Growth of the Empire � Although the Roman Empire flourished for many years, its political situation remained one of instability and violence.

Key Ideas- The Growth of the Empire � Rome’s place on the Mediterranean Sea and its warm climate made it easy to grow food. � Conquered nations were absorbed into the Roman Empire. Cities were built to look like Rome, and the Roman culture was passed on to the new citizens. � The empire was run in an orderly fashion. However, the transfer of the role of emperor involved many cruel acts.

Key Term Pax Romana. Latin for “Roman Peace. ”

Pax Romana � The Pax Romana brought an end to the inside fighting that had existed in Rome since the time of Caesar. � During this period, Rome’s growth brought great riches and new ways of doing things to the empire and its people.

Roman Buildings Video- Roman Buildings

Roman Buildings � There was a strong sense of similarity among Roman cities. � They all were designed and built to look like one another. � All Roman cities had a theater and temples set aside for different gods.

Roman Buildings � They also had aqueducts to carry water through the city, and they all had public bathhouses. � Buildings in even the most distant provinces were designed the same as those in Rome.

Key Term Aqueduct- An artificial waterway designed to carry water from one place to another. The word comes from the Latin aqua, meaning “water. ”

The Growth of the Empire � Many people were happy to become a part of Rome. � The Romans brought many advantages, including better architecture, education, and health.

The Growth of the Empire �A common language, calendar, religion, and form of money helped tie the Roman Empire together.

Portrait of an Empire � Citizens anywhere in the Roman Empire also were treated the same way. They spoke Latin and used the same form of money. � They also used the same calendar. It was called the Julian calendar. It was named after Julius Caesar, its creator. � These details meant that all cities and all people in the empire were connected. This was even true of cities that Rome conquered and added to its growing empire.