Monday - Watch Punic wars videos
Tuesday - Rome power point
The Roman Republic Falls apart
Why?
Growing gap between rich and poor - income inequality
As Rome took over areas, it took slaves as well
By 100 BC, slaves made up 33% of Rome’s population
Small farmers couldn't compete with the rich landowners had to sell land leaving them homeless
Two Tribunes, Tiberius and Gaius, were murdered, after pushing for giving land to the poor
2. Unloyal Military
As the Roman Empire grew in size and the Roman Republic grew unstable, Roman generals started seizing power hired landless farmers to fight for them
Julius Caesar came to power this way
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 Cesar backed lost
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 61-60 BC
In 60 BC, Julius Caesar joined forces with Crassus, a wealthy Roman, and Pompey, a popular general
With their help, Caesar was elected these three men dominated Rome as a Triumvirate, a group of three rulers
After being Consul for one year, became Governor Gaul ( France and Belgium) from 58-50 BC
Caesar’s power and popularity concerned Crassus and Pompey back in Rome
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 and return to Rome
Caesar refused and instead crossed the Rubicon River in 49 BC and attacked Pompey’s troops
Wednesday - Rome power point
First Triumvirate Falls Apart
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
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 named after Pope Gregory 13th in 1582 and is still used today
Caesar’s Assassination 44 BC
Due to helping the middle and lower class, Caesar made enemies with the wealthy class included many in the Senate
Marcus Junius Brutus and Gaius Cassius Longinus were the two that killed Caesar
Thursday - Rome Religion
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
Octavian ( 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 its peak
Augustus’ Accomplishments
Stabilized the frontier - war was done
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 had 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 - fires common
Gov’t provided grain every day
Struggled for survival
Slavery was a significant part of Roman life and economy
The Romans made more use of slaves than any previous civilizations - 1/3 of the population
Most slaves were conquered people and included men, women, and children
Children born to slaves also became slaves
Friday - Rome power point
They could be punished, rewarded, set free, or put to death
Some strong slaves became gladiators
Gladiators Contests
Government put on to appease the poor
Provided free of charge during holidays (150/ year by 250 AD)
Fought in the Colosseum in Rome (pic next slide)
Animal vs animal, man vs animal, man vs man
Roman Religion
Government and religion were linked
Among the most important Roman gods and goddesses were:
Jupiter, father of the gods
Juno, Jupiter’s wife, who watched over women
Minerva, goddess of wisdom and arts and crafts
Worship of the emperor also became part of the official religion of Rome
The Rise of Christianity
Roman gods were very important and practiced with very little emotion
Rome took over the Jewish land of Israel around 63 BC
Christianity taught that people could have a personal relationship with god which attracted many people
Christianity broke off from Judaism and was based on the life and teachings of Jesus as well as his death and resurrection
As Jesus traveled around preaching, many people started to follow him
Paul, an apostle, stressed that Jesus was the son of god who died for people’s sins
He also declared that Christianity should welcome all converts, Jew or Gentile( non- Jew)
Reasons why Christianity Spread
Embraced all people - men and women, enslaved persons, the poor, and nobles
Gave hope to the powerless
Appealed to those who were repelled by the extravagances of imperial Rome
Offered a personal relationship with a loving god
Promised eternal life after death
Rome’s Reaction
Rome persecuted Christians as they did not worship the Roman gods
Many were crucified , burned or killed by wild animals in the circus arenas
A priest led each small group of Christians in each church
A bishop, who was also a priest, supervised several local churches
Pope, the father or head of the Christian Church
Whoever was bishop of Rome was also the leader of the whole Church
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