The Fall of the Republic

1. The Fall of the Republic Chapter 8 section 3

2. Learning Objectives • The military hero Julius Caesar seized power, but he was later killed by his rivals. • The Roman Republic, weakened by civil wars, became an empire under Augustus.

3. Trouble in the Republic • The gap between the rich patricians and the poor plebeians grew, and farmers especially suffered. • Latifundia were large farming estates created when wealthy Romans bought small farms.

4. Trouble in the Republic (cont.) • Farmers whose land had been bought traveled to cities to try to find jobs. • Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus were two wealthy brothers who tried to reform government. They were killed.

5. Trouble in the Republic (cont.) • Marius, a former military leader, was appointed counsel and promised land to poor men if they became soldiers. • Sulla drove Marius out of Rome, declared himself dictator, and spent three years reforming government before resigning from office.

6. Discussion Question • What happened after Sulla stepped down from office? • Men who saw Sulla gain power by using an army decided to follow the same path, and civil wars broke out.

7. Julius Caesar • A triumvirate is a political alliance of three people. Julius Caesar, a Crassus, and Pompey formed a triumvirate after Sulla left office. • Julius Caesar marched on Rome and defeated Pompey’s forces after Crassus died in battle.

8. Julius Caesar (cont.) • Caesar declared himself dictator of Rome for life and made many changes to Rome. • The Julian calendar was created during Caesar’s rule. This calendar was changed slightly in A.D. 1582, but is basically still in use today.

9. Julius Caesar (cont.) • Caesar had many enemies as well as supporters. His enemies plotted to kill him and succeeded on March 15, called the “Ides of March.”

10. Discussion Question • What is the origin of the phrase “crossing the Rubicon” and what does it mean? • The phrase refers to Caesar’s return to Italy. By crossing the Rubicon, Caesar knew he would begin a civil war and that he would either be victorious or be destroyed. Today it means passing a point of no return.

11. Rome Becomes an Empire • Octavian was Caesar’s grandnephew, who had inherited Caesar’s wealth. • Antony and Lepidus were two of Caesar’s top generals. • Octavian, Antony, and Lepidus formed the Second Triumvirate, although the triumvirate began to quarrel immediately.

12. Rome Becomes an Empire (cont.) • Antony fell in love with Cleopatra VII and formed an alliance with her. Octavian declared war on Antony to keep him from taking over the republic. • Octavian defeated Antony and Cleopatra’s forces at the Battle of Actium.

13. Rome Becomes an Empire (cont.) • Cicero was a political leader, writer, and public speaker who favored representative government and supported Octavian. • Octavian restored the republic with some reforms and took the title Augustus, meaning “revered one.” This began the Roman Empire.

14. Discussion Question • How was Octavian like Caesar? How was he different? • Octavian declared himself ruler for life. However, he also knew that many people favored a republic. Octavian reformed government so that a Senate with limited power existed while he remained in charge.

15. Learning Objectives • The military hero Julius Caesar seized power, but he was later killed by his rivals. • The Roman Republic, weakened by civil wars, became an empire under Augustus.

16. Did you know? • Julius Caesar was born to a patrician family. According to myth, Julius’ ancestor was the goddess Venus.