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An Empire Emerges. Republic to Empire. Marius = A general who recruited soldiers from the poor and promised them land if they swore allegiance to him Before Marius, farming soldiers were loyal to Rome but became loyal to individuals and the general….became more political Civil War broke out.
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Republic to Empire • Marius = A general who recruited soldiers from the poor and promised them land if they swore allegiance to him • Before Marius, farming soldiers were loyal to Rome but became loyal to individuals and the general….became more political • Civil War broke out
Marius: Created A Loyal, Professional Army
Slow Collapse of Republic • From 82-31 B.C.E civil wars dominated Rome • Crassus, Pompey, & Julius Caesar (generals) emerged victorious • Crassus was killed, Senate gave power to Pompey and ordered Caesar to give up army. • Caesar kept his army and defeated Pompey in 44 B.C.E • He came, saw and conquered- ”Veni,vidi,vici” • Demand to be the sole dictator
Julius Caesar-Dictator to Emperor • Gave land to the poor and expanded the senate to 3x its size • Filled the senate with his supporter which ultimately weakened it • Implemented many reform plans • Public works • New Calendar • More help for poor • Senators assassinated Caesar after he declared himself dictator for life-emperor
Julius Caesar Pompey Major Rivals
Ides of March March 15
2nd Triumvirate • After Caesar’s death….Octavian, Antony, Lepidus = formed 2nd Triumvirate (3 leaders) • Octavian took the Western and Antony took the Eastern 1/2 of the Empire (Lepidus to N. Africa) • Antony allied with Cleopatra VII of Egypt which caused conflict within Rome • Octavian defeated Antony at the battle of Actium • Cleopatra and Antony both committed suicide one year later
Octavian Marc Antony Rivals of the Second Triumvirate
The Legendary Cleopatra VII
Problems in Roman Daily Life • Rome was overcrowded, noisy, & dangerous • Rent for the poor was high- entire families to live in one room • Due to conditions, Poor Romans spent most of their time in the street Rich • Entertainment = gladiator contests-animals, slaves, & chariot races at Circus Maximus • Magnificent buildings = baths, temples, theaters, markets
Rise of Christianity contributed to downfall of Empire • Jesus taught Golden Rule,taught humility, charity, and love for others • Jesus turned over to the Romans • Pontius Pilate ordered his crucifixion • Followers of Jesus believed that he overcame death and was the Messiah
Rise of Christianity • After word spread that Jesus had overcome death, there were many converts/ Only 60 days after crucifixion Jerusalem had 10,000 converts • Romans paid little attention to Christianity at first, then began to see it as a threat to society • Persecution of Christians began with force
Rise of Christianity • Persecution strengthened Christianity,become more organized • Christianity appealed to the poor because it viewed everyone as equal • Diocletian-last major emperor to enforce persecution of Christians/ he realized that Christianity was too powerful to be destroyed by force • Constantine =first Christian emperor
Diocletian and Constantine BroughtTemporary Reforms Diocletian
Decline of Rome • ANOTHER FACTOR • Long period of unrest followed the end of the Pax Ramona Reasons: • 22 emperors over a 50 year period, 20 died violently • Rome was invaded by Persians and Germans • Civil war and plague almost caused empire to collapse
Decline of Rome • More Problems • Trade and industry declined • labor shortage due to the plague • farm production declined due to war torn fields • Money became short and soldiers were scarce/ Had to hire Germanic soldiers = who had no loyalty to Rome (mercenaries)
Fall of Rome • Still MORE PROBLEM • Under Constantine, Roman empire divided into two regions = west and east • Rome = capital of west, Constantinople = capital of east • The Huns (from Asia) invaded eastern Europe and forced the German Visigoths into Roman territory to become Roman allies • Eventually Visigoths destroyed Rome and took control
Fall of Rome • In 476 CE the Western emperor was killed • Many Germanic kingdoms over the years replaced the Western Empire • Eastern Roman empire became known as the Byzantine Empire and thrived around Constantinople