Fall of the Roman Republic

Discontent with Roman Republic

1. Widening gap between patriciansand plebeians

2. Issue of Roman citizenship in colonies3. Wealth from wars and expansion made leaders (governors and

generals) greedy and dishonest, and it also caused the poor people to want more rights

4. Several consuls were assassinated as others tried to take position by force

5. Increasing slave rebellions against severe treatmentSolutions continuous attempts to control tensions and help poor (Gracchus

brothers) Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus= sought land reforms, proposed free

grain and more citizen rights… but both were killedReasons for Fall of Republic state’s inability to bridge the gap between rich and poor Lack of effective control of Rome’s new found wealth &

commercialism social uprisings of non-Roman Italians over Roman citizenship Military reforms of standing army and legions increased power and

influence of Roman Generals (ie. Julius Caesar)

The First Triumvirate In 60 BCE, three Roman Generals: Pompey,

Crassus and Caesar formed the First Triumvirate: Rule of Three Men

Plan was to usurp the Roman Republic, backed with the power of their armies

Crassus was killed in battle, and then Caesar set out to defeat Pompey (which he did)

Rome torn by civil war. In 46 BCE, Julius Caesar, appointed dictator for 10 years (by Sentate) andthen himself extended it for life; as well appointed himself PontifexMaximus (Chief Priest)

44BCE- March 15th, the Ides of March, Caesar was assassinatedby self proclaimed “defenders ofliberty”

The Birth of the Roman Empire After Caesar’s assassination= civil war ensued Second Triumvirate: Octavian, Marc Antony

and Lepidus in 43 BCE and divided the Republic between them (sealed with a marriage between Octavian’s sister and Marc Antony)

Lepidus was pushed from power Marc Antony met and married Cleopatra in 36

BCE, but Octavian defeated Antony’s armies and Anthony and Cleopatra committed suicide

Octavian was left as master of Roman world 27 BCE- End of Roman Republic

Timeline of Ancient Rome Founding of Rome: 753 BCE

(Romulus) Etruscan Monarchy: 753 BCE-509

BCE Roman Republic: 509 BCE – 27 BCE Roman Empire: 27 BCE – 476 CE