The Fall of Rome
As Rome expanded the slave population increased, eventually reaching 1/3 of the
population
The Roman Legion
The greatest military on Earth, the legions were loyal to their Generals in the
field and not to politicians back in Rome
Patricians
Plebeians
Proletariat
Slaves
Sulla
Sulla creates his own personal army and breaks Roman law and tradition by
marching on Rome to seize power and control for himself and his army
Marius
Roman consul Marius raises his own army to fight Sulla
The First Civil War
Vs.
Optimates
(wealthy)
Populares
(poor)
Sulla
Sulla defeats Marius and takes the title Dictator and absolute Power over Rome,
which he will hold onto until his retirement three years later. Sulla had the
opportunity to execute the young nephew of Marius but decided against it. That
young nephew would remember Sulla’s example of how to take power in Rome, the
nephew was………
Julius Caesar
Spartacus
Spartacus was a slave who led the largest slave rebellion in Roman history.
He nearly escaped Rome but was crushed by the wealthiest General in
Rome………
Marcus Licinius Crassus
Who was aided by the young up and
coming Julius Caesar
The First Triumvirate
Crassus
Pompey
Julius Caesar
Crassus is killed while in Syria
To gain power and fame Caesar
conquers Gaul (modern day France)
Fearing Caesar’s ambition, the Senate
puts it’s support behind Pompey
Cato
Cicero
The Protectors of the Republic
Scipio
The Second Civil War
Vs.
Julius Caesar
Are you with me?
Pompey
Crossing the Rubicon
Triumph
Julius Caesar
The most powerful man in Rome
Dictator
Caesar and Cleopatra
Politics
36:22 and 50:49
Cicero
A Roman Senator, Cicero is considered the greatest Roman
philosopher
The Idea of the Republic
- Law should be based on reason and logic and
not emotions (Stoic Law)
- The Republic should control law and order
- The people should control the Republic, thus
controlling what the law is
- Those entrusted with the law should not be
corrupted
- The Republic should enforce values through
the education system that do not lead to
corruption
Republic
Law
People
Leaders
Education
Cato
Cicero
The Conspiracy
Scipio
Brutus
Julius Caesar
Dictator For Life
To Save the Republic
The Third Civil War
Vs.
Octavian
(Caesar’s Nephew)
.........
Marc Antony and
Cleopatra
(Caesar’s General and
widow)
Octavian
Augustus
Took the title Princep, which means “First Citizen” but is considered the first
emperor of Rome and rules Rome for 40 years. His reign is known as the Pax
Romana or Roman Peace
Consul
Executive
Senate
Legislative
Constitution
Legal Code
Augustus – 27BC-14AD
Pax Romana -
Marcus
Aurelius –
180 AD
Fall of Rome – 476 AD
The Roman Empire
Centralized Power
Corruption and Conspiracy
Slavery
Professional Armies
Professional Armies
Expansion
Need for Money
Expansion
Raise Taxes
Inflate the Currency
High Prices
High Unemployment
The Welfare State
Bread
Maximus
Circus
Circus
Circus
Circus
The Empire is too large so the Emperor Diocletion divides it in two. The Emperor
Constantine will eventually reunite the Empire but move the capital from Rome to
Constantinople (Istanbul)
Social Conflict
Vs.
Pagans
Greed, Violence
and Excess
Christianity
Charity and Pacifism
Less Wealth and less
people to serve in
legions to guard the
frontiers
Rome is forced to hire barbarians to guard to frontiers borders
The Germanic Tribes flood into Rome and in 476 AD Rome “falls”
when it’s leader takes the title “king” rather than Emperor