The Roman EmpireChapter 6Section 2

VocabCivil WarJulius CaesarTriumvirateAugustusPax Romana

Fall of the RepublicEconomic 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 UpheavalGenerals seize

power Use the poor and

homeless; promise lands

Soldiers now loyal to generals not republic

Will a general take Rome by force????

Julius Caesar Takes Control Julius Caesar (60 B.C.E.)

Military leaderJoin 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.

Julius Caesar Takes ControlJulius serves one year as consulLeads 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 RomeNow Pompey is nervous about Julius’

ambitions…….

Julius Caesar Takes ControlPompey urges the Senate to order Julius to

disband his legions and return to RomeJulius 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!!!!

Julius Caesar Takes ControlJulius returns to Rome in 46 B.C.E. and is

appointed dictator44 B.C.E Julius is named dictator for life!

Caesar’s ReformsJulius 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

“Et tu Brute?”Many nobles and Senators are concerned

over Julius Caesar’s successGroup 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?)

Beginning of the EmpireAfter 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 yearsTriumvirate ends in jealousy….

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 EgptOctavian 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…

Vast and Powerful EmpirePax Romana:

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

A Vast and Powerful EmpireAgriculture:

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

protectionsRome even traded with China and India