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Romans were committed to a policy of imperialism- establishing control over foreign lands and peoples. Other conquests Macedonia Greece Asia Minor Provinces

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Rome starts to become the center of the world, because of all of the riches. Wealthy Roman familys establish Latifundia-huge estates

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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

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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.

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Rome was unable to resolve its problems peacefully and civil wars ignite. Slave uprisings Army loyalty shifts to generals themselves instead of to Rome

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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.

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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.

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Spartacus intended to lead slaves over the Alps and to go home, but the slaves encouraged him to march on Rome.

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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.

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After Caesars death, he intended for his grandnephew Octavian to take the thrown. A struggle for power however broke out

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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)