Ancient Rome Section 2 From Republic to Empire
Jan 20, 2018
Ancient Rome
Section 2From Republic to Empire
Background
In the early days of the roman Republic, farmers fulfilled their duty to Rome by serving in the army
As Rome grew, the aristocracy became more powerful
As Rome became a more powerful force in the Mediterranean, problems arose in Rome itself
Growing Unrest Senate and political offices controlled by small
circle of wealthy and powerful families Wealthy landowners bought out small farmers Eventually these farmers drifted to the cities and
formed a large class of landless poor Large gap between rich and poor created
tension
Two Brothers
Two brothers named Tiberius and Gaius tried to pass land reform bills
These bills included: Limits to the size of big estates Gave land to the poorBrothers were murdered by the members of the
Senate who were part of the wealthy landowners
Civil War
82-31 BC Ambitious men competed for power and
money
1st Triumvirate
Three men emerged as victors in the civil wars Julius Caesar, Crassus, and Pompey Formed a triumvirate – a government by three
people of equal power Crassus dies, and Caesar defeats Pompey for
power Caesar eventually becomes the single ruler
Julius Caesar Became dictator in 45 BC Gave land to the poor Created jobs Increased senate to 900 members Granted citizenship to his supports Introduced the solar calendar Murdered in 44 BC because he was getting too
powerful
2nd Triumvirate
Octavian (Caesar’s nephew)Anthony (Caesar’s right hand man)Lepidus (Caesar’s army commander)
After a few years only Octavian remained Octavian became supreme ruler and
became known as Augustus
Age of Augustus Became the first Roman emperor Kept a large army Agricultural and trade economy Stabilized frontiers of the Roman empire Conquered many new lands Built public buildings Set up a civil service Died in AD 14 Divided Rome into east and west
Pax Romana
Early Rome under Augustus started the Pax Romana meaning “Roman Peace”
A 200 year time of peace and prosperity Emperors during this time created new social
reforms State funded programs to help educate the poor Building of aqueducts, bridges, roads, and
harbors
Expansion of the Empire
Roman empire coverd 3 ½ million square miles in its height
50 million population Citizenship granted to every free person Spread of Roman culture
Economy and Society
Still great gap between rich and poor Wealthy had lives of leisure and lived in
luxury villas on large estates Poor worked in shops and markets,
depended on the emperor’s handouts of grain to survive
Activity #3 Get a book Get a white piece of paper from Mrs. Murray Turn to page 158 You will draw and label map titled Roman Empire: Trade
and Expansion Must include:
Roman Empire (colored in) Trade routes 6 of the 13 goods traded (your choice) with symbols for each of
the 6 A key telling me what is what