Birth of an Empire:

RomeStandard 6-2.4: Describe the expansion and transition of the Roman government from monarchy to republic to empire, including the roles of Julius Caesar and Augustus Caesar

(Octavius)

Leading up to the Empire……

• The Roman Republic lasted for almost 500 years

• Continued to grow more powerful through extensive trade and conquest

• Trade led Rome to have conflict with surrounding powers throughout the

Mediterranean regions

• This resulted in several wars as they expanded their control

• Carthage was Rome’s main foe in the Punic Wars- fought for control of the

Mediterranean region

Julius Caesar• Mostly responsible for initiating Rome’s

move away from a republic towards a

permanent dictatorship

• A Roman dictator was:

• A legal official

• Duly nominated by the Senate

• To handle a major problem

• With a fixed, limited term

• The Roman providences were

divided up between the three:

• Crassus, the financier, took

Syria

• Pompey, the general, took

Spain

• Caesar took Cisalpine,

Transalpine Gaul, and

Illyricum.

The Rise of Julius

• Julius Caesar eventually turns his army towards Rome and becomes

the single Ruler

Rome Under Caesar• Julius Caesar granted citizenship to many colonials, thus widening his base of

support.

• Caesar granted pay to Proconsuls (governors) to remove corruption and gain

allegiance from them.

• Caesar established a network of spies.

• Caesar instituted a policy of land reform designed to take power away from the

wealthy.

• Caesar reduced the powers of the Senate so as to make it an advisory council only.

• Caesar was appointed dictator for life and took the

title of imperator

• The Roman people began to be fearful that he would

try to become a king

The Murder of Julius Caesar

• In an effort to save the Republic, 60 Senators plotted to murder Julius Caesar

• In March of 44BC, the Senators stabbed him 60 times next to the statue of his former co-leader Pompey

Second Triumvirate

• Consisted of Octavius (Augustus), Marcuc

Aemilius Lepidus, and Mark Antony

• Created in 43 BC

• Consul power was assigned to the three men,

instead of the traditional 2 consuls

Rise of the Emperor of Rome

• There were years of struggle after the death of Julius Caesar

• Octavius emerged as the sole leader of Rome

• He was the adopted son of Julius Caesar

• He was given the title “Augustus Caesar”- ending the

Roman Republic & establishing the rule of emperors

• Roman Empire continued to expand deeper into the European continent (both north and east)

• Rome continued to grant citizenship during this time

• Rome reached its greatest extent under Emperor Trajan during the Pax Romana (or Roman Peace)

• It is called the Pax Romana not

because all of Rome was

peaceful, but because it finally

had stability in a leader- Augustus

• Many of Rome’s most notable

architecture was built during this

time

• This is considered the height of

the Roman Empire