The Roman Empire

1. The Roman Empire Chapter 6 Section 2

2. Vocab • Civil War • Julius Caesar • Triumvirate • Augustus • PaxRomana

3. Fall of the Republic • Economic Turmoil • Gap between rich and poor widen as republic grows • Majority of population forced to sell land and work on large estates • Growing discontent among lower classes • Military Upheaval • Generals seize power • Use the poor and homeless; promise lands • Soldiers now loyal to generals not republic • Will a general take Rome by force????

4. Julius Caesar Takes Control • Julius Caesar (60 B.C.E.) • Military leader • Join forces with Crassus (wealthy Roman) & Pompey (another general) • Gets elected consul in 59 B.C.E. • Next 10 years they will rule Rome as a triumvirate.

5. Julius Caesar Takes Control • Julius serves one year as consul • Leads his army to conquer all of Gaul (France) • Fights with his men; gaining loyalty and devotion • Victory in Gaul gains Julius great support throughout all of Rome • Now Pompey is nervous about Julius’ ambitions…….

6. Julius Caesar Takes Control • Pompey urges the Senate to order Julius to disband his legions and return to Rome • Julius defines his government and in January of 49 B.C.E. he takes his army across the Rubicon River to attack Pompey at Rome • Pompey flees; and Julius chases him to Greece, Asia, Spain, and then Greece. • When Julius arrives in Greece; he is presented with the head of Pompey!!!!

7. Julius Caesar Takes Control • Julius returns to Rome in 46 B.C.E. and is appointed dictator • 44 B.C.E Julius is named dictator for life!

9. Caesar’s Reforms • Julius Caesar’s Reforms • Granted citizenship to many people in the provinces • Expanded the Senate • Ruled with absolute power….why??? • Created jobs (new public buildings) • Increases pay for soldiers

10. “Et tu Brute?” • Many nobles and Senators are concerned over Julius Caesar’s success • Group of Senators plot to assassinate him • March 15th , 44 B.C.E. Marcus Brutus and Gauis Cassius stab Julius to death in the Senate chamber • Last words, “Et tu Brute” (you too Brutus?)

11. Beginning of the Empire • After Caesar’s death civil war breaks out • Octavian (Caesars nephew), Mark Antony (general), and Lepidus (powerful politician) combine to create Second Triumvirate (43 B.C.E.) • Rule Rome for next ten years • Triumvirate ends in jealousy….

12. Octavian becomes Augustus • Octavian and Mark Antony become rivals • While fighting in Anatolia Antony meets Queen Cleopatra of Egypt • They fall in love and he goes with her back to Egpt • Octavian accuses Antony of trying to rule Rome from Egypt and another civil war breaks out…. • Octavian is successful against Antony and Cleopatra in 31 B.C.E. • Octavian becomes the unchallenged ruler of Rome and takes the title Augustus (exalted one) and imperator (supreme military leader) or emperor…

13. Vast and Powerful Empire • PaxRomana: • 207 years of peace in the Roman Empire from 27 B.C.E-180 A.D. • Roman Empire covered nearly 3 million square miles and had between 60-80 million citizens • Rome itself was home to 1 million people

14. A Vast and Powerful Empire • Agriculture: • Agriculture was most important industry in the Empire • About 90% of the people of Rome were farmers • Most Romans survived on local produce; however extra food and luxury items were obtained through trade\ • Trade: • Vast trade system • Ships from the east traveled with Roman navy protections • Rome even traded with China and India