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Fall of the Roman Republic

Fall of the Roman Republic. World History - Libertyville HS. The Punic Wars. First Punic War – takeaway? Second Punic War – takeaway? Third Punic War – takeaway? Overall, how did the Punic Wars reflect or reinforce your understanding of the character of the Roman people?.

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Fall of the Roman Republic

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  1. Fall of the Roman Republic World History - Libertyville HS

  2. The Punic Wars • First Punic War – takeaway? • Second Punic War – takeaway? • Third Punic War – takeaway? • Overall, how did the Punic Wars reflect or reinforce your understanding of the character of the Roman people?

  3. Post Punic War Roman Republic • Divisions of Citizens • Patricians & Equestrians • Patricians & Equestrians held highest offices, ruled the state • City population (Plebeian) • Many unemployed; lived on charity and bribes of office holders • Passed the time attending shows given by the state, rich people • Country farmers (Plebeian) • Peasants, who used to be independent farmers • They lost their lands to rich creditors

  4. Post Punic War Roman Republic • Divisions of the People • Subject population of Italy: allies who had no political rights, vote or power • Subjects outside Italy (Sicily, Spain) • No power • Duty to pay tribute • Slaves: no rights – just service (POWs)

  5. Problems with the Republic • #1: Great mass of people had no political rights • #2: Voting could only take place in city of Rome (inefficient) • #3: Decay of Patriotism • Aristocratic classes were out for themselves • Used state power for their own gain

  6. Attempts to Reform System • Gracchus Brothers • Tiberius and Gaius, each elected Tribune (T in 133 BC, G in 122 BC) • Attempted land reform, extend citizenship to all of Italy • Reaction of Patricians? • Assassinate each brother, in turn

  7. Attempts to Reform Republic • Lesson from the Gracchus brothers? • Violence became acceptable tool of statecraft (respect for law declined, esp. amongst rich) • Civil war (87-82 BC) between Patricians, Plebeians occurred: Patricians won • Potential political power of plebeians remained an untapped force (popularity = votes! = government control)

  8. Julius Caesar • Very astute politician • Patrician, but saw that political power rested with the people • Fantastic speaker and brilliant general • Realized that to take over Republic, one needed three things • Money • Popularity w/ massesSupport of Army

  9. Julius Caesar • Persuaded Crassus, the richest man in Rome, and Pompey, Rome’s most successful general, to join him in taking over the Republic = First Triumverate • What did each man get? • Pompey: recognition of troops • Crassus: more money! • Caesar: military command

  10. First Triumverate • Caesar knew that the way to political power was through military success • Army gave general military power base (loyal troops) • Army gave general wealth (share of loot from conquests) • Successful army gave general public popularity, prestige with the masses

  11. Caesar, in Gaul • Caesar needed to achieve military success • But goal was political – NOT military – power • Needed to conquer somewhere close to Rome • Appearance of threat to Rome so he could “save” the state • Chose Gaul (France) • Caesar / army conquered all of France, Belgium • Invaded Britain twice

  12. Caesar, in Gaul • What happened in conquered territories? • Caesar allowed self-government of surviving tribes (Client states) • Gauls saw advantages of adopting Roman customs, way of life; protection of armies • “Romanization”: assimilation of outsiders into Roman system • Settlers, colonists followed Caesar’s armies and settled, further “Romanizing” the area • Caesar aggressively marketed his success to Roman people (“Commentaries”)

  13. End of First Triumverate • Meanwhile, what were 1stTriumverate members doing? • Caesar fighting in Gaul • Pompey got jealous of Caesar • Crassus got himself killed, trying to lead an army • Pompey got Senate to declare Caesar an “enemy of the state” • Demanded he give up his army and return to Rome for trial & certain death • Why? Afraid of his power, popularity

  14. Overthrowing the Republic • 49 BC: Caesar decided to “Cross the Rubicon” • Traditionally, no armies allowed in Italy unless under control of Senate (avoids military takeover) • Rubicon river = N. border • Thus, “crossing the Rubicon” meant someone committing an irreversible course of action • Result? Civil War!

  15. Overthrowing the Republic • Pompey vs. Caesar • Caesar & Pompey fight; C wins (had him assassinated) • Caesar’s dictatorship • Very swift campaign against Parthians (revenge for Crassus’ death) • “Veni, vedi, vici” (I came, I saw, I conquered) • 46 BC: Returned to Rome where Senate appointed him dictator for 10 years • Elevated Caesar above laws, constitution • 44 BC: appointed dictator for life

  16. Dictator Caesar & His Fall • Caesar instituted reforms aimed at improving common man’s life • Many patrician Romans hated & resented Caesar’s assumption of power • March 15, 44 BC • Group of senators assassinate Caesar, in Senate • “Et Tu Brute?” - last words (ID friend as conspirator)

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