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From Republic to Empire

From Republic to Empire. Western Civilization November 26, 2012. Agenda. How was your break? Turn in Chapter 3+ reading guides Joke of the day From Republic to Empire

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From Republic to Empire

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  1. From Republic to Empire Western Civilization November 26, 2012

  2. Agenda • How was your break? • Turn in Chapter 3+ reading guides • Joke of the day • From Republic to Empire Learning Target:Students will be able to explain the conditions which caused the transition from the Roman Republic to the Roman Empire

  3. The Republic Collapses • The gap between rich and poor continued to expand • Gracchus brothers murdered for their attempted land reforms (133-121 BCE) • Civil War (88-81 BCE) • General Marius v. General Sulla • Armies became loyal to their generals rather than to Rome

  4. The First Triumvirate (59-53 BCE) • Rome controlled by three men • Pompey (successful and popular general) • Crassus (wealthy Roman) • Caesar (aristocrat popular with the masses) • Caesar served one year as Consul • Pushed through political agenda of Pompey and Crassus • Sent to Gaul (modern-day France) with a 10-year generalship of the Roman Army

  5. Julius Caesar • Extraordinarily successful in Gaul • Defeats Rome’s greatest enemy • Expands Roman control into Western Europe • After victory in Gaul, Caesar sets his sights on Rome • Breaks Roman law by not disbanding his army after the war • Marches towards Rome with his army

  6. Caesar Crosses the Rubicon • The Rubicon River separates Gaul from Rome • Caesar had a choice: • Disband his army, be stripped of his command, and prosecuted, OR • Cross the Rubicon with his army and attempt to take control of Rome for himself

  7. Civil War (49-46 BCE) • Caesar’s crossing of the Rubicon was a declaration of war against Rome, and Pompey • The two faced off in a 3-year civil war which ended with the death of Pompey • The (second) civil war ended with the establishment of Caesar as the Roman ruler • Given a 10-year dictatorship over Rome

  8. Restoring the Republic? • Caesar very popular with the masses • Caesar not so popular with aristocrats and senators who wanted their power restored • Ruled as an Absolute Ruler • Dictator • Consul • PontifexMaximus (high priest) • Tribune

  9. The Ides of March • March 15, 44 BCE • Jealous Senators conspire to assassinate Caesar • Led by Marcus Brutus and Gaius Cassius • 60 Senators stab Caesar to death on the Senate floor

  10. Beginnings of an Empire • Caesar’s assassination led to conflict between his supporters and his assassins (the Senators) • Three men rose to power, establishing the Second Triumvirate (43-33 BCE) • Mark Antony (general in Caesar’s army) • Octavian Caesar (Great Grand Nephew of Caesar) • Lepidus (commander and magistrate under Caesar)

  11. The Path to Absolute Power • As Roman power spread throughout the Mediterranean and into Europe, the Triumvirate was spread across the empire • Mark Antony in Gaul and Egypt • Octavian in Rome • Lepidus in Spain and Northern Africa • The Triumvirate began fighting among itself • Each wanted complete power of Rome

  12. How Did He Do It? • Octavian, trained by Caesar, was especially adept in political maneuvers • Getting rid of Lepidus: • Accused of usurping power in Sicily and inciting rebellion • Forced to retire • Getting rid of Antony: • Fell in love with Cleopatra (Queen of Egypt) • Accused of ruling Rome from Egypt • Killed in war between Rome and Egypt

  13. Civil War (again….) • Octavian charged Antony with crimes of treason: • Invading territories without Senate approval • Keeping provinces which, by law, should have been given to other men • War broke out between Octavian and Antony, Rome and Egypt • Octavian found success at the naval battle at Actium • As Rome marched on Egypt, Antony committed suicide

  14. Augustus Caesar • Octavian, last man standing • Accepted title/name Augustus (majestic; honored) • The unchallenged ruler of Rome • Restores the republic • Rome now an EMPIRE ruled by ONE MAN

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