The Roman World

Rome Day 1 Geography Rome Day 2 Structure of the Republic Rome Day 3 Punic Wars

Rome Day 4 Republic to Empire Rome Day 5 Roman Society Rome Day 6 Christianity

Rome Day 7 Fall of Rome Rome Day 8 Review Unit Plan for Rome

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Section 3: The Birth of the Roman Empire

In this section you will learn about political events during the first century B.C. that helped weaken the Roman Republic.

1. Explain how the reign of Caesar served as a transition between the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire.

2. Describe the events and conditions that marked the first two centuries of the Roman Empire.

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Vocabulary

the Gracchi: Two brothers who were each elected tribune and were each murdered by senators and their supporters for attempting

reform

Lucius Cornelius Sulla: Consul who started and won a civil war and then ruled Rome as a dictator

Julius Caesar: Popular general and consul who formed a political alliance called the First Triumvirate with two other Roman generals, then using the army to enforce his will, seized sole power as dictator. He expanded the

boundaries of the republic, but was murdered in the Senate.

Gnaeus Pompey: Popular Roman general who joined Julius Caesar in a political alliance called the First Triumvirate, then turned against him and was defeated by him triumvirate: Political alliance of three rulers

Cleopatra: Queen of Egypt who was put into power by Caesar and later formed an alliance with Marc Antony against Octavian, but lost to Octavian and committed suicide to avoid capture

Marc Antony: A general and ally of Caesar who formed part of the Second Triumvirate and formed an alliance with Cleopatra, but was defeated by Octavian and committed suicide to avoid capture

Augustus (Octavian): First ruler of the Roman Empire, who greatly expanded its borders and began a

period of peace that lasted for 200 years

Pax Romana: Period of Roman peace that lasted for 200 years

Julio-Claudian Emperors: Relatives of Caesar who ruled for 54 years following the death of Augustus

Five Good Emperors: Five rulers who led Rome for almost 100 years during the Pax Romana

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Section 3 Summary

There is a famous quote "all roads lead to Rome." Back then it seemed to be true.

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alc%C3%A1ntara_Bridge_)

•​Roads were initially built by and for the military, but helped with trade and communication at large as the republic and then empire grew.​

The Roman Republic faced many problems. Two brothers saw the need for reform: Tiberius and Gaius (GAY·uhs) Gracchus (GRAK·uhs), known together as the Gracchi. Tiberius was elected tribune and proposed land reforms to help farmer-soldiers. A mob of angry senators clubbed Tiberius and hundreds of followers to death. Ten years later his brother Gaius was elected tribune. He distributed grain to the poor. Again Gaius and many supporters were killed in a riot. Violence rather than law began to control politics.

Tensions grew among Rome’s allies, citizens in other Italian cities who had helped fight Rome’s wars. They wanted Roman citizenship. The Senate resisted, so the allies rebelled. Having served with the Roman legions, the allies were well trained, and the war was bloody. Although Rome won, the allies were allowed to become citizens and participate in government.

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(This ancient coin shows Roman citizens voting)

Rome now included the entire peninsula. Eventually, a volunteer army who fought for money, land, and war loot. Soon troops became more loyal to generals than to the government.

In 88 B.C. Lucius Cornelius Sulla was elected consul. When he left office, he was denied a profitable military post. He marched on Rome, starting civil war. Sulla triumphed and became dictator. Sulla gave the Senate greater control. But commanders with loyal troops could force their will on the Senate. Julius Caesar was a general and powerful speaker who was popular among the poor.

Julius Caesar formed a political alliance with two other popular generals, Gnaeus Pompey (PAHM·pee) and Licinius Crassus. They formed the First Triumvirate, or “rule of three.” To increase his power and popularity, Caesar conquered Gaul (now France).

Meanwhile, Crassus died. Jealous of Caesar’s rising fame, Pompey ordered him back to Rome.

Caesar marched back with his army and declared war. It was a tradition that no general would enter Rome with his army, the army would be disbanded. Caesar violated this tradition when he crossed the Rubicon River on his way to Rome with his army, hence the phrase "don't cross the Rubicon."

(Caesar crossing the Rubicon River)

Eventually, he defeated Pompey and marched into Egypt. He put Cleopatra, a daughter of the royal family, on the throne as his ally. Caesar returned in triumph and became dictator. He reduced the power of the Senate.

In response, senators, Brutus, Cassius and many others, murdered Caesar in the Senate (he had 23 stab wounds). A struggle for power broke out. Caesar’s nephew and chosen heir, Octavian, was only 19 years old. Marc Antony, a general and ally of Caesar’s, drove Brutus, Cassius and their followers from Rome.

Octavian, Marc Antony, and Lepidus formed the Second Triumvirate. Antony conquered the forces of Brutus and Cassius and joined Cleopatra in Egypt. Octavian declared war on Antony and Cleopatra, they were defeated by Antony. Antony and Cleopatra committed suicide to avoid capture. Octavian earned the title Augustus Caesar, or simply Augustus, meaning “revered one.” Under Augustus the Roman Republic became the Roman Empire (rule by a monarch - Emperor).

Pearson Online text - 3 minute clip on Augustus

The Story of Roman Empire (Full BBC documentary)

The reign of Augustus began the two-hundred-year"Golden Age" known as the Pax Romana, or “Roman Peace.” The Senate, assemblies, and magistrates, however, lost power. After Augustus died, relatives of Julius Caesar, called the Julio-Claudian Emperors, ruled the empire for 54 years. Then the first of the Five Good Emperors took power. They ruled for almost 100 years of the Pax Romana.

One of these, Hadrian, built walls along the frontiers of the empire.

Marcus Aurelius was the last of the Good Emperors.

THE ROMAN EMPIRE - THE END OF THE PAX ROMANA

Cultural diffusion - When one cultures artifacts, architectural styles, beliefs, language, ideas, customs, values are spread to another culture or regiona (usually through trade and/or conquest). Some examples of cultural di

1. In what ways did political events help weaken the Roman Republic?

1. Several political events weakened the Roman Republic. Leaders such as the Gracchi attempted reform but were murdered. Violence rather than law began to control politics. Rome's allies in other Italian cities, who were refused citizenship, rebelled in a bloody war. Roman generals created a volunteer army whose troops

became more loyal to their generals than they were to the government. Civil war also weakened the Republic.

2. What steps did Julius Caesar take to gain and keep power over the Roman Republic?

2. To gain power, Julius Caesar spent a great deal of money to win support from the poor. He built a loyal army and popularity by conquering Gaul. He marched his army back to Rome, seized power, and became a dictator. To keep power he reduced the power of the Senate.

3. What characterized the first two centuries of the Roman Empire?

3. The first two centuries of the Roman Empire were characterized by great territorial expansion and a period of peace called the Pax omana, but a great reduction in the powers of the Senate, assemblies, and magistrates.

Review

What is a Golden Age?