Decline of Roman Republic

Decline of the Roman Republic : 

Decline of the Roman Republic

Economic Turmoil : 

Economic Turmoil Gap widens between patricians and plebeians 1/3 of the population were slaves Many small farms were ruined or neglected when landowners were fighting during wars Many small landowners had no choice but to sell their land to the patricians Latifundia – huge estates built by patricians, which would be worked by slaves

What does it all mean? : 

What does it all mean? Most the unemployed ex-farmers & ex-soldiers went looking for jobs in the cities They created an urban poor population, which accounted for 1/4 of Romans 1/4 Urban Poor 1/3 Slaves = more than 1/2 the population of Rome

The Gracchi Brothers : 

The Gracchi Brothers Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus Both serves as Tribunes representing the plebeians Wanted land reform to limit the size of a latifundia and give land to the poor Senators were threatened by their power and did not want land reform Both were murdered by Senators

Military Upheaval : 

Military Upheaval Following the Gracchi Brothers, a period of constant conflict between groups occurred Generals began seizing power for themselves Landless poor soldiers were bribed into supporting these generals and pledging their allegiance to them in exchange for land

First Triumvirate : 

First Triumvirate Group of 3 rulers Formed in 60BC Julius Caesar, Pompey, Crassus Agreed to rule equally Rule Rome together for 10 years

Crassus & Pompey : 

Crassus & Pompey Pompey Popular general Angry with Senate for refusing land grants to his soldiers Crassus Wealthy general Dies early into rule

Julius Caesar : 

Julius Caesar Young popular general - strong leader and military genius Voted Pontifex Maximus - the chief priest of the Republic Elected Consul- served only 1 year Was named dictator for life

Gallic Wars : 

Gallic Wars Gaul is modern day France Caesar conquers all of Gaul and part of Britain during the Gallic Wars Caesar wins his troops loyalty and devotion during the campaign Success makes him very popular in Rome

Pompey Reacts to Caesar’s Popularity : 

Pompey Reacts to Caesar’s Popularity Pompey becomes fearful of Caesar’s growing power and popularity Senate orders Caesar to leave his legions under the direction of another general and return to Rome or else he would not be able to run for consul again

Caesar Marches : 

Caesar Marches Caesar does not obey the Senate and marches his troops towards Rome Pompey flees and is eventually killed in Egypt by Ptolemy XIII, Cleopatra’s brother

Caesar’s Reforms : 

Caesar’s Reforms Granted Roman citizenship to the people in the provinces Expanded the size of the Senate, filling it with loyal supporters Sponsored building projects, which created jobs for the poor and helped to alleviate the overcrowding in cities Allowed people to move to new colonies and receive free land Increased the pay for soldiers New Calendar

Caesar’s Assassination : 

Caesar’s Assassination Many senators and nobles were concerned with Caesar’s growing power, success, and popularity Some senators viewed Caesar as a tyrant and believed they were losing their influence Marcus Brutus (one of Caesar’s good friends) and Gaius Cassius plotted Caesar’s assassination Ides of March – March 15, 44BCE Caesar walked into the Senate and the senators fell on him; he was stabbed 23 times Following the assassination, Civil War broke out and destroyed what was left of the Roman Republic