week 12 11/14 - 11/18 - Blogs

Monday -

Tuesday -

The roman republic falls apart

Why?
- Growing gap between rich and poor - income inequality.
- As Rome took over areas, it took in slaves as well.
- By 100 BC, slaves made up 33% of Rome's population.
- Small farmers couldn't compete with the rich landowners and had to sell land leaving them homeless.
- Two Tribunes, Tiberius and Gaius, were murdered, after pushing for giving land to the poor.
Unloyal Military
- As the roman empire grew in size and the Roman Republic grew unstable, Roman generals started seizing power and hired landless farmers to fight for them.
- Julius Caesar came to power this way.

Julius Caesar - Ruled 49-44 BC

Julius Caesar's Resume

Grew up in a patrician family.
Father died when he was 16.
Became the high priest of Jupiter.
Married Cornelia in 84 BC.
Civil war in Rome and the person Caesar backed lost (discuss issue with marriage).
Due to this, Caesar joined the military to hide from Sulla, the new dictator.
Fought in Asia and Cilicia.
After Sulla's death, Caesar returned to Rome and went into politics.
During his travels, was captured by pirates.
Became Governor of Spain, a Roman province in 61-61 BC.
In 60 B.C, Julius Caesar joined forces with Crassus, a wealthy Roman, and Pompey, a popular general.
With their help, Caesar was elected consul in 59 B.C.
For the next ten years, these three men dominated Rome as a triumvirate, a group of three rulers.
Was known as the first triumvirate.
After being Consul for one year, became Governor of Gaul (France and Belgium) from 58-50 BC.
Caesar's power and popularity concerned Crassus and Pompey back in Rome.

First Triumvirate falls apart

Crassus was killed in a battle in Syria so he was out of the picture.
Pompey became jealous of Caesar's power and popularity so the Senate ordered Caesar to disband military an return to Rome.
Caesar refused and instead crossed the Rubicon river in 49 BC and attacked Pompey's troop.
By 46 BC, Pompey was dead and his troops defeated.
Caesar returned to Rome with support from the people and the military and became dictator - 46 BC.
In 44 BC, Caesar was named dictator for life.

Caesar as dictator

Served just a year before he was assassinated.
Granted Roman Citizenship to many people in the provinces.
Expanded the senate, adding friends and supporters from Italy and other regions.
Helped the poor by creating jobs, especially through the construction of new public buildings.
Started colonies where people without land could own property.
Increased pay for soldiers.
Reformed the Roman calendar.

Wednesday - started the movie

Julian vs Gregorian Calendar

The Julian calendar was the calendar from 46 BC to 1582 when the Gregorian Calendar took its place.
The Gregorian calendar was introduced and names after pope Gregory Xlll in 1582 and is still used today.
The difference in the average length of the year between Julian (365.25 days) and Gregorian (365.2425 days) is 0.002%.

Caesar's Assassination - 44 BC

Due to helping the middle and lower class, Caesar made enemies with the wealthy class including many in the Senate.
Marcus Junius Brutus and Gaius Cassius longinus were the two that killed Caesar.

Thursday - Finished the movie 59 - 68

The Second Triumvirate - 43 BC - 33 BC

Civil war broke out after Caesar's death.
The Roman republic was now completely gone at this point.
Octavion (Caesar's grandnephew/adopted son), Marc Antony (A General), and Lepidus (a Politician) ruled Rome for Ten years.
Fell apart eventually due to jealousy and violence
- Octavian forced Lepidus to retire.
- Octavian went to war against Marc Antony (with Queen Cleopatra from Egypt).
- Octavian defeated Antony/Cleopatra in a naval battle of actium in 31 BC.
- Antony and Cleopatra committed suicide afterwards in 30 BC.

Augustus and the Roman Empire - 27 BC - 14 AD

Octavian took the title "Augustus" which means "exalted one".
He would usher in the "Pax Romana" (27 BC- 180 AD) which means "Roman Peace".
- This was the period of time where Rome was at it's peak.

Augustus' Accomplishments

Stabilized the frontier.
Glorified Rome with awesome public buildings.
Created a system of government that survived for centuries.
Set up civil service within Rome.
- Paid workers to manage the affairs of government.

Roman Life

Discipline, strength, and loyalty were stressed in Rome.
- People had Gravitas that has these characteristics.
90% of people farmed throughout the empire.
The rich lived by conspicuous consumption.
Most people lived in poverty.
- High unemployment.
- Lived in cramped tenements - fire common.
- Government provided grain everyday.
- Struggled for survival.
Slavery was a significant part of Roman life and economy.
The Romans made more use of slaved than any previous civilization - 1/3 of the population.
Most slaved were conquered peoples and included men, women, and children.
Children born to laved also became slaves.
Slaves could be bought and sold as they were seen as property.
They could be punished, rewarded, set free. or put to death.
Some strong slaves became gladiators.

Friday -

Gladiator Contests

Roman Religion

Government and religion were linked.
Among the most important Roman gods and goddesses were:
- Jupiter, father of the goods.
- Juno, Jupiter's wife, who watched over women.
- Worship of the emperor also became part of the official religion of Rome.