7.3: caesar and the emperors. julius caesar *nephew of gaius marius *becoming a very popular roman...
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7.3: Caesar and The Emperors
Julius Caesar*Nephew of Gaius Marius*Becoming a very popular Roman general
*Powerful public speaker*Spent great amounts of money on the poor of Rome
First Triumvirate60 B.C.
Caesar, Pompey, Crassus
Triumvirate – “rule of three”
Caesar last to become a consul in 59 B.C.
First TriumvirateCaesar needs a loyal armyObtains special command in Gaul – Present day FranceGaul now under Roman control – Romans impressedCaesar builds army and makes $$$
First TriumvirateCrassus killed in battle
Pompey made sole consul in 52 B.C.
Ordered Caesar home without his army
Jealous of Caesar’s fame
First TriumvirateCaesar refused and returned to Rome with his armyDeclared war on the republicPompey fled to GreeceCaesar defeated Pompey and followed him to Egypt
First TriumviratePompey’s head given to CaesarPlaced Cleopatra on the Egyptian throne46 B.C. returned home a heroNamed “Dictator for Life” 2 years later by the senate
Pompey Caesar Crassus
Caesar’s March on Rome
Caesar’s Military Campaigns
The Rule of Caesar*Gave the poor food and his soldiers land.
*Caesar increased size of Senate to 900-Reduced the power of the senate
-Wanted to be elected dictator for life.
-Upset many Senators
Conspiracy to kill Caesar
*Many senators formed a conspiracy to kill Caesar-Feared Caesar’s ambition and popularity
-Felt he must be stopped
The Assassins *Gaius Cassius and Marcus Brutus
-2 members of the conspiracy-Senators and friends of Caesar
*March 15, 44 B.C. – -Caesar stabbed to death in the Senate-Ides of March
Rome in Chaos*Octavian: Caesar’s grandnephew -Chosen to be his heir
*Creates a struggle for power
The Second Triumvirate*Octavian:
*Marc Antony:-general and ally of Caesar
*Lepidus
Power Struggle
*Antony took part of the army-moved to Egypt to join with Cleopatra
*Octavian forced out Lepidus and
ruled Italy
The Division of Rome*Marc Antony – took eastern
Rome
*Octavian – took western Rome
The Power Struggle Ends
*Octavian convinced Roman senate to declare war on Antony
*Octavian captured Alexandria
*Antony and Cleopatra committed suicide
Octavian: The First Augustus
“First Citizen” – avoid Julius’ fateTook the name Augustus
“The Sacred One”Caesar Augustus
First Roman emperor: Never called himself emperor
Octavian: First Augustus
Won over the poor through food, fresh water and games.Greatly expanded empireWest: Spain, East: Syria, South: Egypt, North: Rhine/Danube rivers
Octavian: First Augustus
Pax Romana – Roman peace Began with the Reign of AugustusOffered the people peace and stability Price for peace: Reduction of senate power
Age of Pax Romana Emperors
Julio-Claudian EmperorsRelatives of Julius Caesar
Tiberius: 14 – 37 ADGood ruler but unpopular with the people
Caligula:37 – 41 AD Brutal and insane, literally Eventually murdered
Julio-Claudian Emperors
Claudius: 41 – 54 ADintelligent gimp
Inexperienced at firstGood administerConquered Britain
Poisoned by wife - Agrippina
Put her Son Nero in power
Julio-Claudian Emperors
Nero : 54 – 68 A.D.Also insane and brutal
Blamed for Great Fire of RomeHad his mother Agrippina murderedKilled himself instead of being murdered by the Senate.Last Julio-Claudian Emperor
Five Good EmperorsHadrian: 117 – 138 A.D.
Romanized Provinces
Built forts and boundaries along frontier
Ex: Hadrian’s Wall in Britain
Marcus Aurelius: 161 – 180 A.D. last of 5 Good Emperors
Preferred to Study Stoic philosophy over war
Forced to Defend empire against invaders