Romans were committed to a policy of imperialism- establishing
control over foreign lands and peoples. Other conquests Macedonia
Greece Asia Minor Provinces
Slide 3
Rome starts to become the center of the world, because of all
of the riches. Wealthy Roman familys establish Latifundia-huge
estates
Slide 4
Rome was becoming very rich, but this led to the economic gap
between rich and poor to increase. Small farmers could not compete
with the latifundias and their slave labor. Angry mobs start to
riot
Slide 5
Two young patrician brothers named Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus
start political reform Tiberius - distribute land to the poor
Gaius- buy grain for the poor, by using public funds.
Slide 6
Rome was unable to resolve its problems peacefully and civil
wars ignite. Slave uprisings Army loyalty shifts to generals
themselves instead of to Rome
Slide 7
Spartacus was born in Thrace, became a soldier, and was
captured by the Romans. He was sold as a slave to be made a
gladiator.
Slide 8
With 70 comrades, he escaped, hid on Mount Vesuvius, and raised
a large army of rebel slaves. With his army he defeated two Roman
legions.
Slide 9
Spartacus intended to lead slaves over the Alps and to go home,
but the slaves encouraged him to march on Rome.
Slide 10
A fresh Roman army under Crassus finally defeated Spartacus and
his men. After his defeat, 6000 men were crucified as a warning to
other slaves.
Slide 11
By 133 BC the Roman Republic faced many problems. Social War
breaks out in 91 BC and bloodshed resulted finally in Rome (Senate)
gaining control of the allied cities that had rebelled
Slide 12
Out of the chaos, rose Julius Caesar an ambitious military
commander. The Republic starts to weaken as a result of the events
that take place during Caesars rise
Slide 13
Triumvirate means rule by three Caesar joins Gaius Pompey and
Licinius Crassus as the first triumvirate. Caesar knew that with a
loyal army behind him he could gain control of Rome
Slide 14
Crassus dies in battle in 53 BC and Pompey is declared sole
consul. Weary of Caesars power he orders him back to Rome without
his army. Caesar refuses
Slide 15
Instead, Caesar marches towards Rome with his army and Pompey
flees to Greece. Crossing the Rubicon The die is cast Caesar and
his conquest in Gaul (France) Cleopatras appointment to the throne
in Egypt.
Slide 16
Caesar increases the Senate to 900 members, but reduced its
power after being declared dictator for life. Senators begin to
revolt. Led by Gaius Cassius and Marcus Brutus March 15, the Ides
of March-44 BC. The conspirators kill Caesar in the Senate
Slide 17
These were believed to be Caesars last words which means even
you Brutus. He really said, and thou Brutus, my child! Caesar
believed that Brutus was his son, he had an affair with Brutuss
mother lasting some twenty years.
Slide 18
After Caesars death, he intended for his grandnephew Octavian
to take the thrown. A struggle for power however broke out
Slide 19
Octavian (19), Marc Antony (General), and Lepidus, Caesars
second in command make the second triumvirate Marc Antony along
with Octavian begin to hunt down the conspirators.
Slide 20
Antony led an army east, re-conquering Syria and Asia Minor
from the armies of Brutus and Cassius. Then he joined his ally
Cleopatra in Egypt. Octavian forced Lepidus to retire.
Slide 21
Antony and Octavian divided the Roman world. Antony took the
east, and Octavian the west. Octavian persuaded the Senate to
declare war on Antony and Cleopatra Octavian defeats Antonys forces
in Alexandria and Antony and Cleopatra commit suicide.
Slide 22
Octavian learned from Caesars mistakes, and did not present
himself as an emperor. Senate gave Octavian the name Augustus the
revered one Augustus Caesar (Octavian)