Ancient Rome : Early Republic to Empire

1. Ancient Rome : Early Republic to Empire

2. Rome was established around 600 BCE • According to legend, the city was founded by Romulus & Remus, twin brothers who had been found in the wilderness and raised by a she-wolf

3. The Geography of Rome

4. Originally, Rome was dominated by Etruscan kings (rex), but eventually the Romans rebelled and • In 509 BCE, the Romans established a new government – republic : a form of government in which certain citizens have the right to vote to select leaders

5. There were two social classes in Rome: • Patricians – aristocratic landowners who held most of the • power • Plebians – the common farmers, artisans, and merchants

6. Roman Republican government: 2 Consuls • Elected each year to command the army • preside over the senate Advise Advise • elected by the plebians • Had veto power over laws passed by the Senate • Supreme governing body • 300 members (serve for life) • Control finances & state religion Tribunes (10) The Senate

7. Roman Military • All citizens who owned land were required to serve in the army for ten years • Legion – military unit made up of 4800 soldiers supported by light cavalry • Dictator – in times crisis, one consul assumed absolute power

8. The Punic Wars • In 264 BCE, Rome went to war • with Carthage (called the Punic Wars) • 1st Punic War 264 – 241 BCE Carthage defeated • 2nd Punic War 218 -202 BCE Carthage defeated • Hannibal – Carthagian general, marched elephants • across the Alps • Scipio – Roman general who attacked Carthage • 3rd Punic War 149 – 146 BCE ended with the • destruction of Carthage

9. After the Punic Wars, Rome entered into a period of civil wars – conflict between groups in the same country •  Changes in the military: soldiers now came from the landless poor and only owed allegiance to their commander (in other words, the guy paying them)

10. From the chaos of the civil wars, three men emerged as the power in • Rome • Julius Caesar • 60 BCE – joined forces with Marcus Crassus & Gnaius Pompey • to create the 1st Triumvirate • (a group of three rulers) • 59 BCE – was elected to consul • 58 – 50 BCE – conquered Gaul – made him popular with soldiers & the public • Crassus died in battle & Pompey back in Rome begins to fear Caesar’s growing power & had the Senate order him to disband his army & Rome

11. Caesar refused to disband his army & marched on Rome – “The die is cast”– civil war erupted between Caesar & Pompey. • Pompey left Rome and went East to gather his forces (but left the wealth of Rome in the Temple of Saturn (in ROME!) • Defeated by Caesar at the Battle of Pharsalus (48 BCE) • Pompey fled to  Egypt (where he was assassinated by disloyal Romans at the urging of the Pharaoh Ptolemy XIII’s advisors

12. Caesar followed Pompey to Egypt, where he met Cleopatra • Egypt was in the middle of a civil war, so Caesar decided to stay settle the dispute between Ptolemy XIII (who was 10) and Cleopatra (Ptolemy’s sister and wife) • After putting Cleopatra back on the throne as queen, • Caesar stayed in Egypt • for many months • enjoying her company

13. Caesar finally returned to Rome, where he used his powerful army and his popularity with the people of Rome to force the Senate to enact reforms in his name: • Senate declares Caesar dictator for life • Granted citizenship to the provinces • Expanded the Senate (replaced disloyal Senators with loyal ones) • Created jobs for the poor • Started new colonies

14. A number of Senators feared Caesar’s power and his own sense of self-importance. When Cleopatra arrived in Rome with a little boy she claimed was Caesar’s, they decided to remove him from power the only way they could –death!!!! • March 15th, 44 BCE – Caesar was assassinated by a group of Senators led by Marcus Brutus and Gaius Cassius • (Et tu, Brute?)

15. Rome was plunged into another civil war after Caesar’s death: • Marc Antony (Caesar’s 2nd in command) & Octavian • Vs. • the Senate conspirators • Octavian was Caesar’s grandnephew & his • chosen heir • Formed the 2nd triumvirate with Antony & Lepidus • Hunted down & destroyed the Senate conspirators • Antony and Octavian then divided the Roman territory to share – Antony would administer the East, Octavian the west, and Lepidus was sent to Africa

16. Octavian then turned on Marc Antony, who had gone to Egypt and married Cleopatra • After their defeat at the hands of Octavian’s navy at the Battle of Actium (September 2, 31 BCE), Antony and Cleopatra committed suicide.

17. Octavian- • Took the title “Augustus” which means the first or “exalted one” • Became the 1st imperator (emperor) • His rule began “PaxRomana” (Roman Peace), which lasted for 207 years (27 BCE – 180AD)