Grachhi Brothers Republic facing numerous problems Landless poor concentrated wealth Moral decline and loss of Roman values Stressed political system Two Patricians aim to reverse the decline of Rome by addressing the needs of the poor ID: 487866
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Slide1
Collapse of the RepublicSlide2
Grachhi BrothersRepublic facing numerous problems:Landless poor – concentrated wealthMoral decline and loss of Roman values
Stressed
political system
Two Patricians aim to reverse the decline of Rome by addressing the needs of the poorLand redistribution, cheap grains, public jobsShifting nature of politicsPopular Politics – appeal to the massesBreak from political traditionsPolitical violence as a solutionSlide3
Marius & SullaMarius recruits landless poor into the armySoldiers paid by the General from bootyShifting loyalties away from the StateServes as consul for six terms
Sulla seizes power from Marius
Marches army on Rome
Reign of terror – killing of opponentsOverturn previous reforms and shifts power back to the SenateRetires from politics voluntarily Senate faces rebellion from the peopleSlide4
Rise of Julius CaesarPatrician from a political connectionsCharismatic and personable public figureSeeks help from others to gain political power
Crassus – Riches used for
Election
Campaigning and Public GamesPompey – Powerful and popular GeneralFirst Triumvirate – work together to achieve goals (60BC)Pompey – wants land for veteransCrassus – wants wealth and richesCaesar – wants consulship and gloryPower continues by removing opponents
Casear’s Campaigns in GaulExtends Rome to North SeaGreat wealth to Rome and CaesarPays army, bribes politicians, free grain to poorPompey fears his success and powerSlide5
The Push for Power
Crassus dies leaving Pompey sole Consul (50BC)
Attempts to remove Caesar by declaring him a public enemy
Caesar crosses the RubiconMarches on Rome as a criminalWelcomed as a patriotPompey and Senate flee Rome
Travel to Egypt (48BC)Pompey is killed – offered to CaesarCaesar meets Cleopatra and Egyptian lavishesCaesar is the undisputed commander in the Roman world (45BC)Republic Constitution is not restoredCaesar is made dictator for 10yrsSlide6
Dictatorship of Caesar
Strong Centralized Government
Assumes many offices
Limits
the power of the SenateCreate a cohesive empireExpansion of coloniesUniform civic governmentNew coinage and tax system
Building projectsNew standardized calendarBread and CircusesFree grain to the poorGladiatorial games for public entertainmentSlide7
Many become unhappy with Caesar’s megalomaniaTitle of “father of the country”Sits in a gold chair in the SenateMonth of July – birthday a public holidayPurple toga, crown of laurels, face on coinsCleopatra & Caesarian
Ides of March
Fear Caesar will declare himself king
Senators, led by Brutus & Cassius, plan an assassinationCaesar stabbed in the SenateAssassination split the Roman peopleWas the Senate saving the Republic or itself?How should Rome proceed?Slide8
Rome after Caesar
Competing interests after Caesar
Mark Antony – Caesar’s lieutenant and former Consul
As loyal commander feels he should take overOctavius – Caesar’s grand-nephew (18 yo
)Is declared the adopted heir of Caesar by willMarcus Lepidus – governor in Spain and former ConsulWorries about civil warSecond TriumvirateMA, Oct, ML work together for stabilityAttack political enemiesChase and Kill assassinsSplit the empire: Oct – West, MA – East, ML – Africa Slide9
Triumph of OctavianLepidus attempts to control SicilyHis army defects to OctavianMark Antony in Egypt
Meets Cleopatra – totally infatuated
Declares Caesarian full and rightful heir
Divorces Octavian’s sister to marry CleopatraCivil War between Octavian and Mark AntonyAntony defeated at Actium (31BC)Octavian sole ruler of RomeSurrenders power to the SenateSenate votes him Princep
– First among EqualsTotal power for life – Emperor (Augustus)Seen as a unifying symbol of Rome