Decline of the Roman Republic

1. The Decline of the RepublicThe Decline of the Republic

2. The Roman Republic, in the face ofThe Roman Republic, in the face of
changing social and economicchanging social and economic
conditions, failed to surviveconditions, failed to survive
challenges by Julius Caesar,challenges by Julius Caesar,
succumbed to civil war, and wassuccumbed to civil war, and was
replaced by an imperial regime, thereplaced by an imperial regime, the
Roman EmpireRoman Empire..

3. Social and Economic ProblemsSocial and Economic Problems
Due to her conquests,Due to her conquests, RomeRome
became fabulously wealthybecame fabulously wealthy..
Doesn’t sound like such a bad
thing, does it?
Generals, officials, and tradersGenerals, officials, and traders
became rich and a new class ofbecame rich and a new class of
wealthy Romans emerged.wealthy Romans emerged.

4. Social and Economic ProblemsSocial and Economic Problems
This new class bought up hugeThis new class bought up huge estatesestates
calledcalled latifundalatifunda..
Conquered peopleConquered people taken as slaves workedtaken as slaves worked
these large estatesthese large estates, providing food for the, providing food for the
growing empire.growing empire.
Wide spread use of slave labor hurt smallWide spread use of slave labor hurt small
farmers.farmers. Small farmersSmall farmers could not producecould not produce
grain as cheaply as slave labor.grain as cheaply as slave labor.
(Perspective: Wal-mart vs. the local small business)(Perspective: Wal-mart vs. the local small business)

5. Social and Economic ProblemsSocial and Economic Problems
In addition, grain prices dropped due toIn addition, grain prices dropped due to
imports from conquered lands. (Too muchimports from conquered lands. (Too much
supply!)supply!)
Small farmers were forced toSmall farmers were forced to sell theirsell their
land and migrate to citiesland and migrate to cities to look for work.to look for work.
The cities already hadThe cities already had high unemploymenthigh unemployment
problems, small farmers added to theirproblems, small farmers added to their
swelling ranks.swelling ranks.

6. Social and Economic ProblemsSocial and Economic Problems
Inflation & Devaluation of RomanInflation & Devaluation of Roman
currencycurrency
 Inflation is when theInflation is when the general level of prices of goodsgeneral level of prices of goods
and services increases faster than consumers’and services increases faster than consumers’
incomeincome. That means the amount of goods and. That means the amount of goods and
services consumers are able to purchase goes down.services consumers are able to purchase goes down.
Taxes had been increasing becauseTaxes had been increasing because
it cost the government more money toit cost the government more money to
administer the growing empire.administer the growing empire.

7. InflationInflation
When prices rise and wagesWhen prices rise and wages
stay the same.stay the same.
PP
RR
II
CC
EE
SS
WAGESWAGES
Week 1: Income=$25.00Week 1: Income=$25.00
Movie Tickets/snacks= $17.50Movie Tickets/snacks= $17.50
Money left over=$7.50Money left over=$7.50
Week 2: Income=$25.00Week 2: Income=$25.00
Movie Tickets prices went upMovie Tickets prices went up
Movie Tickets/snacks=$22.75Movie Tickets/snacks=$22.75
Money left over=$2.25Money left over=$2.25

8. Reasons for the DeclineReasons for the Decline
of the Republicof the Republic
1.1. Spread of slavery in theSpread of slavery in the
agricultural systemagricultural system
2.2. Migration of small farmers intoMigration of small farmers into
cities and unemploymentcities and unemployment
3.3. Devaluation of Roman currency;Devaluation of Roman currency;
inflationinflation
4.4. Civil war over the power of JuliusCivil war over the power of Julius
CaesarCaesar

9. Chaos in RomeChaos in Rome
Riots, assassinations, and slaveRiots, assassinations, and slave
revolts sent Rome intorevolts sent Rome into chaoschaos..
HighHigh unemployment, inflationunemployment, inflation, and, and
general discontent causedgeneral discontent caused riotsriots toto
break out in the city.break out in the city.
The Gracchi brothers attempted landThe Gracchi brothers attempted land
reform but werereform but were assassinatedassassinated byby
senators who perceived the reformssenators who perceived the reforms
as threats to senatorial power.as threats to senatorial power.

10. ~Chaotic Events~~Chaotic Events~
Spartacus and Slave RevoltsSpartacus and Slave Revolts

11. Chaotic Events ~ SpartacusChaotic Events ~ Spartacus
73-71 BCE73-71 BCE
 A former slave and gladiator, led a rebellion thatA former slave and gladiator, led a rebellion that
humbled mighty Romehumbled mighty Rome
 Army of 90,000 escaped slavesArmy of 90,000 escaped slaves
 Conquered much of southern Italy in 2 yearsConquered much of southern Italy in 2 years
 Rebellion came to an end when Spartacus wasRebellion came to an end when Spartacus was
killed in a battle at Lucania.killed in a battle at Lucania.
 Harsh ResultsHarsh Results
 Although 3,000 Roman soldiers were found unharmedAlthough 3,000 Roman soldiers were found unharmed
in Spartacus’ camp, the Romans decided to deterin Spartacus’ camp, the Romans decided to deter
future rebellions. 6,000 of the rebel slaves werefuture rebellions. 6,000 of the rebel slaves were
crucified along the road to Rome.crucified along the road to Rome.

12. First TriumvirateFirst Triumvirate
60 BCE60 BCE
First Triumvirate was an alliance of 3First Triumvirate was an alliance of 3
men against the power of the senatemen against the power of the senate
Julius CaesarJulius Caesar - popularity- popularity
Marcus Licinius Crassus-wealthMarcus Licinius Crassus-wealth
PompeyPompey-military campaigns-military campaigns
They needed one anothers strengths toThey needed one anothers strengths to
get what they needed out of the Senate.get what they needed out of the Senate.
TemporarilyTemporarily brought order to Romebrought order to Rome

13. First TriumvirateFirst Triumvirate
Order was restored in Rome, what’s next?
Caesar left Rome and went in search of more
military conquests.
Crassus left Rome & served as a Governor in
Syria. He later invaded Mesopotamia where he
was killed.
Pompey remained in Rome as a Consul
Pompey becomes jealous of Caesar’s military
successes

14. Julius CaesarJulius Caesar
Caesar used his position in Gaul toCaesar used his position in Gaul to win a string ofwin a string of
military successesmilitary successes, in Gaul, Germany and Britain., in Gaul, Germany and Britain.
 Gained enormous popularity in Rome by publishing reportsGained enormous popularity in Rome by publishing reports
of his campaigns in the Gallic Wars.of his campaigns in the Gallic Wars.
 He returned to Rome with his veteran legions in 49 BCE. ByHe returned to Rome with his veteran legions in 49 BCE. By
bringing his legions across the Rubicon river withoutbringing his legions across the Rubicon river without
disarming them first, he announced his rebellion againstdisarming them first, he announced his rebellion against
Rome. “Alea iacta est” = “The die is cast”Rome. “Alea iacta est” = “The die is cast”
 Having command over the loyalty of most of the troops, evenHaving command over the loyalty of most of the troops, even
those under Pompey's command, Caesar was easily able tothose under Pompey's command, Caesar was easily able to
secure control without the need for conflict.secure control without the need for conflict.

15. Caesar vs. PompeyCaesar vs. Pompey
 Caesar’s wealth andCaesar’s wealth and
power threatenedpower threatened PompeyPompey..
Civil war erupted betweenCivil war erupted between
Pompey and CaesarPompey and Caesar..
Much of this war tookMuch of this war took
place in Egypt where theplace in Egypt where the
queen, Cleopatra, becamequeen, Cleopatra, became
Caesar’s mistress.Caesar’s mistress. CaesarCaesar
defeated Pompey.defeated Pompey.
 Caesar returned to RomeCaesar returned to Rome
in 44 BCE where he forcedin 44 BCE where he forced
the senate to name himthe senate to name him
“Dictator for life”“Dictator for life”

16. Julius CaesarJulius Caesar
 Caesar recognized that Rome was moreCaesar recognized that Rome was more
than a city, but rather an empire.than a city, but rather an empire.
 Caesar made manyCaesar made many reformsreforms which would enablewhich would enable
Rome to manage this empire.Rome to manage this empire.
Attempted toAttempted to control debtcontrol debt
Regulate trafficRegulate traffic in Romein Rome
Impose import tariffs to helpImpose import tariffs to help Italian industryItalian industry..
Began an ambitiousBegan an ambitious building programbuilding program ((ForumForum))
Took measures toTook measures to prevent the floodingprevent the flooding of the Tiberof the Tiber
River.River.
Established manyEstablished many coloniescolonies and was generous in hisand was generous in his
extension of citizenship to cities inextension of citizenship to cities in Gaul and Spain.Gaul and Spain.

18. Julius CaesarJulius Caesar
Caesar’sCaesar’s JulianJulian calendar, with acalendar, with a
minor modification by Pope Gregoryminor modification by Pope Gregory
XIII in the 16th century AD (toXIII in the 16th century AD (to
correct drift in dates for religiouscorrect drift in dates for religious
observations) remains the calendarobservations) remains the calendar
in use today.in use today.

19. MonthsMonths before 45 BCEbefore 45 BCE as of 45 BCEas of 45 BCE
Ianiarius Ianiarius 2929 3131
Februarius Februarius 28 (LY 23, 24)28 (LY 23, 24) 28 (LY 29)28 (LY 29)
Martius Martius 3131 3131
AprilisAprilis 2929 3030
MaiusMaius 3131 3131
Iunius Iunius 2929 3030
Quintilis (Iulius)Quintilis (Iulius) 3131 3131
Sextilis (Augustus)Sextilis (Augustus) 2929 3131
September September 2929 3030
October October 3131 3131
November November 2929 3030
December December 2929 3131
Intercalaris Intercalaris 0 (leap years: 27)0 (leap years: 27) (abolished)(abolished)
(after shortened February)(after shortened February)
Julian CalendarJulian Calendar

20. The AssassinationThe Assassination
On theOn the 15th of March 44BCE15th of March 44BCE (the famous Ides of(the famous Ides of
March) Caesar was called to a meeting in theMarch) Caesar was called to a meeting in the
senate, a meeting held in the Theatre of Pompey tosenate, a meeting held in the Theatre of Pompey to
discuss the preparations for the war against Parthia.discuss the preparations for the war against Parthia.
On his arrival he was surrounded by a group ofOn his arrival he was surrounded by a group of
senators, led by Marcus Junius Brutus, who pulledsenators, led by Marcus Junius Brutus, who pulled
out knives from under their togas andout knives from under their togas and stabbed himstabbed him
23 times23 times. Caesar was left dead on the floor at the. Caesar was left dead on the floor at the
feet of a statue of Pompey. Leading to anotherfeet of a statue of Pompey. Leading to another
round of civil war.round of civil war.

21.  Marc AntonyMarc Antony, who was still consul, moved quickly to, who was still consul, moved quickly to
take over from Caesar, but when Caesar's will was readtake over from Caesar, but when Caesar's will was read
to the senate, a little known nephew of his, Gaiusto the senate, a little known nephew of his, Gaius
OctavianOctavian, was adopted and made principal heir. Marc, was adopted and made principal heir. Marc
Antony, unwilling to accept this, tried in dispute theAntony, unwilling to accept this, tried in dispute the
legality of the will, and this conflict plunged Rome intolegality of the will, and this conflict plunged Rome into
yet another protracted civil war.yet another protracted civil war.
 In 31 BCE,In 31 BCE, OctavianOctavian defeated the forces of Antony anddefeated the forces of Antony and
his ally and lover, Queen Cleopatra, at the battle ofhis ally and lover, Queen Cleopatra, at the battle of
ActiumActium. The lovers committed suicide soon after.. The lovers committed suicide soon after.
 Octavian prevailed in the end, becoming the first RomanOctavian prevailed in the end, becoming the first Roman
Emperor under the name of Augustus.Emperor under the name of Augustus.
 This was the end of theThis was the end of the RomanRoman Republic!Republic!
The AftermathThe Aftermath

22. CaesarCaesar
1.1. http://www.cleanvideosearch.com/media/action/yt/whttp://www.cleanvideosearch.com/media/action/yt/w