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Republican Government Collapsed in Rome

Republican Government Collapsed in Rome. Even though they were victorious, Rome was hurt in many ways from the Punic Wars. The Gap Between the Rich and the Poor Grows. Farms that had been destroyed by Hannibal were sold to wealthy citizens and turned into latifundias

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Republican Government Collapsed in Rome

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  1. Republican Government Collapsed in Rome Even though they were victorious, Rome was hurt in many ways from the Punic Wars

  2. The Gap Between the Rich and the Poor Grows • Farms that had been destroyed by Hannibal were sold to wealthy citizens and turned into latifundias • Began raising cattle rather than growing grain • Thousands of captives from wars provided cheap labor

  3. Where do uprooted veterans of war go now? • Hard to find jobs, as slaves were so plentiful and much cheaper • New class develops of urban, landless poor as people move to the cities looking for work – Proletariat • Discontent, rioted often

  4. Wealth Corrupts the Rich • Winning war means growth of loot and war booty • Generals can take some of the spoils of war for himself and give the rest to the Roman treasury • Patricians build mansions and enjoy exotic food, lavish entertainment

  5. Slavery Becomes Widespread • After Punic War, 75,000 captives sold into slavery • Thousands of captives were sold every year • Worked in mines, households, farms, shipyards etc. • Some were teachers, musicians, secretaries, (more expensive)

  6. Uprisings • Danger of slave uprising is constant “Every slave we own is an enemy we harbor.” • Gladiators were used as public entertainment to fight other warriors or wild beasts • Spartacus led an uprising of 70,000 that terrorized Roman countryside for 2 years. When they were beaten, 6,000 of his followers were crucified

  7. Threats to Roman Republic • Richest families of the city, plebian as well as patrician, competed for political power, often violently • Reformers who tried to help the poor gain land and limit the power of the aristocratic senate were murdered

  8. Traditions are broken • A popular general, Marius, was elected Consul 5 times in a row • He allowed the poor to enlist (prior to this only landowners could serve in the army) • They became professional soldiers, enlisting for 16 years and gaining food, weapons and loot from generals • Generals used army to gain political power, abolishing 6 month limit on dictator

  9. Julius Caesar • Caesar was a patrician and elected governor of a province in Spain • Charmed crowds with parties and speeches

  10. The First Triumvirate • Caesar joined forces with Crassus (a wealthy patrician) and Pompey (a popular general) to rule as a triumvirate. • They bribed and bullied the Senate into following their decisions – no more checks and balances

  11. As governor of Gaul, Caesar waged many wars on Europe, reportedly killing 1/3 of the people in the land it conquered • He shared in all the hardships suffered by his soldiers, making them loyal to him • He sent home accounts of his victories

  12. Caesar Makes Himself Ruler of Rome • Poorer citizens loved him, senators become alarmed at his growing popularity and power • Triumvirate falls apart by 50 B.C. – Crassus was killed in battle and Pompey becomes Caesar’s rival • The senate ordered Caesar to disband his legions and return to Rome

  13. Crossing the Rubicon On Jan.10, 49 B.C. Caesar rode across the Rubicon River in Italy with his troops, defying the senate’s order and challenging Pompey Pompey escaped as Caesar’s troops occupy Rome, fleeing to Egypt where he was murdered He is appointed dictator for 10 years by the senate

  14. Absolute Ruler • As dictator, Caesar makes many changes • Expanded senate to 900 men (added loyal followers) • Landowners had to use free men for at least 1/3 of workforce instead of slave labor • Created more jobs and founded colonies to provide land for Rome’s landless poor • Set up new calendar

  15. Assassination • March 15, 44 B.C. Caesar was stabbed to death by a group of senators. They were led by Caesar’s friend Brutus • Senators feared he was trying to make himself king, (Roman law permitted the killing of anyone trying to do such a thing)

  16. Civil War followed Caesar’s Death • Civil War breaks out and a second triumvirate is formed of victorious generals • Octavian (Caesar’s grandnephew) • Mark Antony (Caesar’s comrade) • Lepidus (politician) • Had conspirators in Caesar’s death killed

  17. War Between Octavian and Antony • Antony meets Cleopatra, Caesar’s former mistress, and the two have a love affair. Antony then wants to divorce Octavian’s sister • Civil War Again! • Octavian’s fleet defeats Antony and Cleopatra’s. The couple committed suicide. • Octavian made Egypt a province of Rome and becomes sole ruler

  18. Augustus The senate convinces Octavian to accept the title “Augustus”, meaning exalted one Roman state is no longer a Republic, but is ruled by one man as an empire, though the senate and assembly continued to meet on business with some power He ruled for 41 years while Rome experienced the most peaceful and prosperous era – The Pax Romana

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