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From Republic to Empire

From Republic to Empire. Section 2. Growing Inequality and Unrest and A New Role for the Army. The Senate governed Rome – made up of a small group of wealthy families Many small farmers lost their land to large land owners – led to political unrest

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From Republic to Empire

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  1. From Republic to Empire Section 2

  2. Growing Inequality and Unrest and A New Role for the Army • The Senate governed Rome – made up of a small group of wealthy families • Many small farmers lost their land to large land owners – led to political unrest • Tiberius & Gaius Gracchus (aristocrats) called for the land to be returned to the “landless poor” – group of senators killed both brothers – discontent and unrest grew

  3. Generals • Marius • Promised “landless poor” land in return they had to fight in the army • Generals become political power • Sulla • Civil War against Marius and Sulla • Sulla restores power to the Senate

  4. The Collapse of the Republic • Victorious leaders during civil wars • Crassus, Pompey and Julius Caesar • Create the First Triumvirate in 60 B.C. • Triumvirate: a government of 3 people with equal power • Each man had a military command

  5. Crassus was killed and the Senate named Pompey as the new ruler • Julius Caesar refused to give up his command • In 45 B.C. Caesar and his loyal army defeated Pompey – Caesar becomes the dictator • Gives land to the poor • Expanded the Senate to 900 members (all his supporters) • Assassinated in 44 B.C.

  6. New Triumvirate • Octavian, Antony & Lepidus • Octavian and Antony divided the Roman World – Octavian (West) & Antony (East) • Antony allied w/Cleopatra VII (lovers) • Octavian defeated them in 31 B.C. • Both committed suicide • The Roman Republic ended

  7. The Age of Augustus • “The restoration of the Republic” • Octavian limited the power of the Senate • Named himself emperor; Given the “Augustus” by the Senate • Army is his chief source of power • 28 legions of 5,000 troops each (citizens only) • 130,000 auxiliary forces • 9,000 men for the praetorian guard (guarded emperor)

  8. The Early Empire, A.D. 14 -180 • Emperor picked his successor from his family, adopted or natural • Tiberius • Caligula: probably insane murdered by Praetorians • Claudius: lame, stuttered thought to be dull witted • Nero: Killed anyone who got in his way (mother); Extremely powerful; legions revolted against him – committed suicide • PROBLEM: Emperor gained power and became more corrupt

  9. “Good Emperors” • Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, and Marcus Aurelius • Time of peace & prosperity – “Pax Romana” (“Roman Peace”) • Respected the ruling class • Appointed officials ran the government • Adopted capable men to be successors • Instituted programs to help the poor educate their children and to create building projects

  10. Expanding the Empire • Empire had expanded into parts of Romania, Mesopotamia, and other regions • Hadrian realized the empire was too large • Became defensive along Rome’s frontiers • Built a wall in northern Britain to keep out the Picts and Scots • Defending the empire became increasingly difficult

  11. Roman Empire covered about 3.5 million square miles and had a population of about 50 million!

  12. The Early empire was prosperous • Internal peace helped trade grow • Farming remained the basis of Rome’s prosperity The End

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