ii. roman empire

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II. Roman Empire

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II. Roman Empire. A. Republic Collapses. As Rome grew its Republican form of government became unstable As Rome grew the gap between rich and poor grew wider Rich landowners owned huge estates where slaves did the work. Small farmers were unable to compete with slave labor - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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II. Roman Empire

A. Republic Collapses

• As Rome grew its Republican form of government became unstable

• As Rome grew the gap between rich and poor grew wider

• Rich landowners owned huge estates where slaves did the work

• Small farmers were unable to compete with slave labor

• Many were forced to sell their land and move to the city to find work

• 1/4th of Rome’s population was made up of

the urban poor

B. Help is on the Way

• Tiberius & Gaius Gracchus – Brothers who attempt to help the urban poor

• Upset Roman elites

• Both brothers met violent deaths • Civil war erupted in Rome following their

deaths

C. Julius Caesar• Strong leader and military genius who rose up

during the civil war

• 59 BC – Caesar was elected Consul

• Following Roman tradition he served one year but declares himself Governor of Gaul (France)

• Caesar led his men and conquered all of Gaul

• 46 BC – Caesar returned to Rome with the support of his army and was named dictator

• 44 BC – Caesar is named dictator for life

“Crossing the Rubicon”

D. Caesar’s Reforms

• Extended the right to vote to many people newly added to the Roman rule

• Made many reforms to help the poor

• Created many public works jobs

• Also created the modern day calendar system (July is named after him)

E. Caesar’s Death• March 15, 44 BC – Caesar was

assassinated by members of the Senate who feared he was becoming too powerful

• Known as the Ides of March

F. Beginning of an Empire

• Civil war broke out again following Caesar’s death

• Octavian and Mark Antony joined together and ruled Rome for 10 years

• Their alliance ends in jealousy and violence

G. Octavian vs. Antony• Mark Antony met the Egyptian Queen Cleopatra (former

wife of Julius Caesar) while leading Roman troops

• Fell in love and formed an alliance

• Octavian accused Antony of plotting against Rome and civil war broke out again

• 31 BC – Octavian is able to defeat the combined forces of Mark Antony and Cleopatra – Battle of Actium

Cleopatra

H. Pax Romana

• Octavian became ruler of all Rome

• Augustus – Title given to Octavian which means the exalted one

• Pax Romana – 200 year period of Roman peace

Caesar Augustus

I. Society and Culture• Many people in the Roman Empire were jobless

• Government gave out daily grain rations

• Government also provide free games, race, mock battles, and gladiator contest

• Colosseum – Stadium that held over 50,000 people where gladiator contests took place

A Look Inside