World History I

World History IUnit Six Block Five LectureThe end of the Republic and dawn of the Empire

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Roman society changes radically due to economics

Large Patrician owned farming estates called latifundium take control of all agriculture.

Patrician farmers use slaves more and more and push out all the plebian farmers

Plebian farmers migrate into cities, which led to increased unemployment because there are no jobs for themLike all good civilizations The end begins with farmingClick Here

The patricians do things that hurt their standing with the plebeians and badly damage the republic

The Patrician parity (equality) with the Plebian class declined. Now the Patricians control the government

The Romans then fight a series of mini civil wars with their Italian allies. These wars occur from 91 to 88 BCE/BC and are called the Social Wars. During this time the value of money decreases (devaluation) and cost of stuff increases (inflation).

The patricians take over and mess it up for everyone else!Click me

Julius Caesar is a political class patrician who is very popular with the plebian masses

At the same time, a slave revolt led by Spartacus is ended by Pompey and Crassus, who then become co-counsels of the republic in 70 BCE/BCs

First Triumvirate These three men (Julies Caesar (high priest), Pompey (counsel) and Crassus (counsel)) form a political alliance that lasts from 59 to 53 BCE/BC)

Caesar then leaves Rome and conquers Gaul (modern France) in 58 to 50 BCE/BCThen this guy shows up!Click me

Julius CaesarWait! I know this guy!

Crassus dies in a battle for North Africa in 53 BCE/BC. Pompey tells priest Caesar dont come to Rome with your army!

Caesar doesn't listen and crosses the Rubicon River. This causes civil war (Caesar vs. Pompey). Caesar wins and then then enters into an alliance with Cleopatra of Egypt around 49 to 48 BCE/BC

Caesar consolidates his power and rules Rome as a dictator appointed by the Senate from 48 to 44 BCE/BC

Caesar is finally named dictator for life in 44 BCE/BC and that is the end of the Roman Republic!

From Republic to DictatorshipClick Here

Rome

Caesar is killed in the Senate in a mass stabbing led by Brutus (hated Caesar) and Cassius (believed Caesar was too powerful) in 44 BCE/BC (Ides of March)

The senate forms the Second Triumvirate between Octavian (Caesars heir), Mark Antony (Caesars Ally) and Marcus Lepidus from 43 to 31 BCE/BC

Rome is upset that Caesar is dead. The armies of Anthony and Octavian beat Brutus and then Cassius commits suicide at Philippi (42 BCE/BC)

Octavian finally defeats the armies of Cleopatra and Marc Antony and becomes Caesar Augustus, the first Roman emperor from 31 BCE/BC to 14 CE/ADFrom Dictatorship to Empire

Click Here

The Roman Empire Begins!Click HereThe effects of Rome becoming an empire are incredible

Roman trade and culture spreads throughout the Mediterranean basin to Africa, Europe, and Asia, including the Hellenistic world of the eastern Mediterranean

The empire is unified and enlarged by imperial authority and the military

One major flaw is that no mechanism exists for the peaceful succession of emperors But for now the Roman Empire will be powerful for the next 200 years!