Growth and Crisis in the Roman Republic

Struggle with CarthagePunic WarsConflict between Rome and Carthage for control

over the Mediterranean Sea

Carthage was a city in North Africa

Carthage’s most successful general was Hannibal. He defeated Rome in several occasions, but was finally defeated by Rome.

Rome attacked Carthage and other Greek city-states.Rome defeated Carthage & obtained control over

North AfricaGovernors were sent to control new territories

Crisis in the RepublicCorruption in the Government

Wealthy officials broke rulesMagistrates stole from peopleUsed violence to win elections and were disliked by poor people

The republic was not working in favor of the people

Crisis in the RepublicEconomic Struggle

Gap between rich and poor widens as Roman Republic grows.

Farmers lost their homes and moved to an overcrowded city.

Politicians gave grain to the people, but the people wanted land and jobs.

Tiberius Gracchus and his brother Gaius tried to help the poor, but were murdered.

Crisis in the RepublicThe Power of the Army

Military became less disciplined and disloyal.

Only citizens who could afford it worked in the army.

Consul Gaius Marius provided equipment and paid poor people to join army

Soldiers recruited from the poor; showed loyalty to their generals.

From Republic to EmpireCivil War in Rome

War between two groups in the same nationArmy Commanders vs. the rest of GovernmentJulius Ceasar marched his army into Rome and

defeated his rivals (Senate and Pompey)Julius Ceasar took control of Rome and declared

himself dictator for lifeHelped the poor and the army, which angered the

upper classesIt was the end of the Republic. Senators wanted to keep Republic the way it was. Group of Senators killed Caesar on a day called

Ides of March, or March 15, 44 B.C.

The Republic CollapsesBeginning of the Empire

Caesar’s supporters take controlCaesar made Octavian his heir. Mark Antony and Cleopatra’s forces are defeated by Octavian

Octavian accepts title of Augustus, “greatly honored one,” and rules Rome.

He becomes first emperor of Rome.

Augustus

Rome’s 1st emperorHeld total power over the

empireAugustus, Rome’s ablest

ruler, creates lasting system of government

Increased soldier’s pay. Improved life for ordinary

peopleFought corruption in

governmentDeified after death: declared

a god and worshipped

Pax Romana (Roman Peace)

Under Augustus, Rome moves from a republic to an empire.

Rome enjoys 200 years of peace and prosperity known as Pax Romana

Around 65 million people are able to enjoy a time without major wars.

Roman EconomyRomans built a navy and took down pirates in

Mediterranean Sea

Trade was cheaper by sea

Farming was the base of the Roman economy

Grain was shipped to Rome to feed its enormous population

In exchange for grain, farmers in provinces received money

Rome's Achievements

Roman Roads

Paved roads connected the cities and forts of the Roman Empire

Soldiers could march from city to city defend them

Government was made more efficient and communication was faster.

Architecture and AqueductsConcrete was used to

build structures because it was lighter and easier to use

Pantheon is an example of these structures

Built aqueducts to carry clean water to the cities

Public Baths

Sewers carried waste away from cities.

Popular EntertainmentEntertainment on

massive scaleGladiators

Men who fought each other for public entertainment

Fights were held in arenas such as the Colosseum

Gladiators were usually slave or criminals

Chariot Races

At the Circus Maximus

Race course for more than 250,000 people

The Arts

Mosaics were a design formed with small tiles of glass, stone or pottery

Public building had colorful painted murals

Statues of gods, heroes and important people

The Influence of LatinLatin was the spoken

language of the empire

Romance languages are the ones developed from LatinSpanish, Italian,

French

Latin is still used today by the Catholic Church

LiteratureOratory

The art of giving speeches

Most famous was CiceroTaught to politicians

PoetryVirgil, Horace, Ovid

SatireWorks of literature that

made fun of subjectsJuvenal mocked Roman

life.

Pompeii

A.D. 79

City of Pompeii was destroyed by volcano Vesuvius

Ash preserved many of the buildings

The Fall of Rome

The Fall of RomeA Slow decline

Internal Forces - Political

- Economic

- Social

External Forces

- Invaders

Political Empire too large to

controlTroops could not be

moved fast enough to defeat enemies.

Civil warsEmperors plotted

against each other for control instead of uniting

Army deterioratesSoldiers followed

different leadersNo Unity

Economic Wars were too

expensive

Taxes were raised to support the armies.

Unemployment was high

Decrease in tradeWars did not allow for

people to travel fast.

Social

Loss of citizen’s confidence and loyalty

Population declines

Hierarchical classes

Plague

                 

External ForcesInvaders, also called barbarians, began to

invade in the 3rd century.

Germanic tribes from northern Europe crossed the Roman frontier and invaded Greece, Italy, Spain, and coastal areas of Asia Minor.

Rich farmlands, and wealth of the Roman lands attracted the Germanic tribes. By the 5th century, the Roman Empire was overrun by barbarians.