Expansion of the Roman Republic Creates Problems Created

Expansion of the Roman Republic Creates Problems Created by Julie Marnell

By 146 BCE, Rome had conquered Carthage and taken all of its colonies in Spain. Rome expanded into Greece and the Eastern Mediterranean. But there were problems caused by expansion.

Problem #1: Slavery • Carthaginians were sold into slavery in Rome to wealthy Roman landowners. • These slaves worked on the large estates called latifundia. • Small farmers didn’t have slaves so they were forced to sell their land to the rich landowners because they could not compete. These poor farmers headed for the cities. The rich became richer and the poor became poorer.

• Small farmers moved to the cities to find work but there were no jobs. • Soldiers returned from war to find their lands sold. They too headed to the cities to find work but there were no jobs. Problem #2 – Rising Unemployment

Problem #3 Economic Instability led to social unrest • Riots took place as inflation and devaluation of the currency left the poor unable to pay for food. • A few politicians tried to give land back to the poor and they were assassinated. What is inflation?

The republican government which was controlled by an small group of wealthy families did not take action to help the growing crisis of poverty. Civil unrest led to civil war during the first century BCE.

Julius Caesar • Poor men joined the personal armies of military generals including the army of Julius Caesar, an ambitious general who sought social reform. • Caesar had gained popularity in Rome by sponsoring gladiator games. His military victories in Gaul (present-day France) made him very popular among his men and with the people. Caesar fought side-by-side with his troops

Caesar Gains Power • Caesar had been appointed to the first triumvirate, consisting of Caesar, Crassus and Pompey. • The Senate became troubled by his power and ordered him to return to Rome and disband his troops. • Caesar defied orders and crossed the Rubicon River with his troops – an act of treason. What is treason? • Caesar claimed control of Rome and named himself “Dictator for Life. ”

Caesar’s Reforms Helped the Poor Caesar: • Redistributed land to his army and his supporters • Began large construction projects providing jobs to the poor • Offered citizenship to many non-Romans living in the provinces

BEWARE OF THE IDES OF MARCH

Caesar’s Assassination – 44 BCE Why was he killed? 1. Senators troubled by his power 2. Added 600 friends to the Senate 3. Granted citizenship to many conquered people. 4. Rich were losing influence Other reasons • Slept with Senators wives • Romans did not want an Egyptian queen Last words – “Et tu Brute”

Chaos in Rome • Caesar did not have a succession plan. Without a clear successor, Rome was again thrown into a civil war. • A second Triumvirate formed and restored order in 43 BCE. What is a Triumvirate?

The Second Triumvirate • Octavian, Mark Antony, and Lepidus band together to bring order to Rome and to hunt Julius’s killers. • Octavian was Julius’s grand nephew and adopted son. • Octavian and Mark Antony have a falling out due to M. A. ’s involvement with Cleopatra. • Octavian declares war on Mark Antony.

TEMPTRESS OF POWERFUL MEN T M AN RA T A CL P O E W IL IP R L RO E TH W OR LD A R PA

With Mark Antony’s death followed by Cleopatra’s death, Octavian renamed himself “Caesar Augustus” which means “exalted” one. Caesar Augustus’ becomes the Emperor in 31 BCE which begins the Pax Romana or 200 years of Roman Peace.

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