As Rome grew, the aristocrats grew richer, and the poor grew poorer

The rich lived on large estates (or farms) where up to thousands of slaves worked

Slaves in Rome were often conquered people

Slavery was not based on race Slaves had to work on the large estates Slaves made up 1/3 the population

Small farmers could not compete with these large estates

Many were retired soldiers Some small farmers sold their farms

and worked for the aristocrats Many quit farming

and moved tothe city to find work

To add to the troubles, the Romans created too much currency. Prices of goods and

services increased while wages (pay) stayed the same

Called inflation

The most powerful politicians (Patricians) are also the most powerful generals

These generals started to recruit and pay their own armies from the poor people Those armies loyal to the general, not the

Republic

Brilliant general Conquered Gaul

(France) for Rome Fought with his men,

they were dedicated to him

Caesar teamed up with Crassus and Pompey to dominate the Republic as the First Triumvirate

The Roman Senate worried that Caesar was becoming too popular and powerful

They ordered him to disband his army and return to Rome

Caesar Pompey Crassus

Caesar defied the order and marched his men across the Rubicon River, and into Rome

Defeated other members of the triumvirate

Took power and was named dictator for life Ruled with total power

Expanded citizenship to provinces Created jobs by building

government buildings Increased soldiers’ pay Very popular with the

people

The Roman senate became worried about Caesar again Some considered him a tyrant

Several Senators, including Marcus Brutus and Gaius Cassius, assassinated him by stabbing him to death (Ides of March)

Caesar’s nephew and adopted son Very shrewd politician After Caesar’s assassination,

Rome broke into civil war. Octavian emerged as one of

the most powerful Romans

Octavian teamed up with Lepidus and Marc Antony to defeat Caesar’s enemies and take control of the Republic

Eventually Octavian became the most powerful, defeating Antony and his Egyptian ally Cleopatra. (Antony and Cleopatra then committed suicide together). He then forced Lepidus into exile.

When Augustus defeated Antony, he became Rome‘s first emperor

Maintained power through control of the army and through favors

While the institutions of the republic remained, they had little real power

Roman Peace 27 BC- 180 AD Expansion and solidification of Roman

Empire Afforded safety and leisure time inside

the empire Some people talk about a Pax Americana

since World War II

Romans build a network of sophisticated and durable roads Good for:

Trade Travel Moving armies around Communicating with

provinces

Uniform system of money/currency Peace encourages trade and prosperity

Trade inside the empire flourished Trade with India and China

In such a time of peace, stability returned to social classes

Renewed emphasis on the family

To control the mass or poor in Rome, the Romans hosted holidays during which Gladiators and/or exotic wild animals would fight each other

Uniform rule of law Developed civil service Expanded control of Europe and

Mediterranean world