Julius Caesar Trouble in the Republic In the
Julius Caesar
Trouble in the Republic �In the 100’s B. C. farmers were sinking into poverty and debt, because many of them had been unable to farm. This was due to Rome’s wars. Others suffered damage due to Hannibal’s invasion of Italy. �Faced with debts they could not pay off many famers sold their land headed to the city for work, which was hard to find.
The Army enters Politics �Military leader Marius became a consul in 107 B. C. , he began to recruit soldiers from the poor—in return for their service he paid them wages and promised them land �Felt loyal to general not Roman Republic since they are now paid professional soldiers �In 82 B. C a general Sulla went against Marius by driving his enemies out and making himself a dictator
Sulla’s Government Change Weakens Council of Plebeians and strengthened Senate After he retires, Rome is plunged Sulla steps down into an era of from office – civil wars that hoping the Roman Republic last for the 50 come heal itself years
Julius Caesar �In 60 B. C. Julius Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus formed the First Triumvirate to rule Rome (a political alliance of 3 people)
Caesar’s Big Decision Crassus Caesar Pompey • Syria • Was killed in battle in 53 B. C. • Gaul (modern France) • Hero to Rome’s lower classes • Senate ordered to give up army and come home • Spain • 53 B. C. Senate decides he should return to Italy and rule alone
Crossing the Rubicon �Caesar decides to hold onto 5, 000 loyal soldiers, & march to Italy crossing Rubicon (river at a command center). He knew there would be no return. He was starting a civil war. �Pompey tried to stop Caesar drove Pompey’s forces from Italy then destroyed his army in Greece in 48 B. C.
Caesar’s Rise to Power 44 B. C he was declared the dictator of Rome His Enemies feared that Caesar wanted to be King Led by Caesar’s friends, Brutus and Cassius, his opponents plot to kill him He filled the Senate with new members who were loyal to him His Supporters believed he was strong leader who brought peace and order to Rome Caesar ignored famous warning “beware the Ides of March” (March 15) Created a new calendar 12 months, 365 days, and a leap year (Julian calendar) March 15 th, 44 B. C Caesar was stabbed to death by Brutus and 59 other senators He started new colonies to provide land for Rome’s jobless people
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