Chapter 13: The Rise of Rome
Lesson 3 – Rome Becomes an Empire
Jedi Journal (Learning Target Notes)
6. I can trace the events that led to the overthrow of the Roman Republic.
1. The end of the Roman republic started with the huge differences between the rich and the poor.
2. Reformers tried to solve the differences, but were killed by the rich.
3. Generals became ambitious for power and this led to unrest and eventually war.
4. They hired poor farmers to serve as soldiers. These farmers shifted their loyalty from the
republic to their generals.
5. This led to civil war.
6. A general named Sulla was supported by the patricians in the Senate. He won the civil war and
became a dictator.
7. After Sulla’s death another civil war started. Julius Caesar came out on top and seized power
from the Senate. He later made himself dictator for life.
8. The fear that he might declare himself king led to his assassination.
9. Another civil war broke-out after Caesar’s death and put the end of the Roman republic closer
to happening.
10. The official date for the end of the Roman republic is 27 B.C.
11. Historians use Julius Caesar’s rule and death to mark the start of the end of the Roman
Republic.
7. Can I describe the influence of Julius Caesar and Augustus on the transition from
republic to empire?
1. Caesar won control of Rome during the civil war.
2. In 46 B.C., the Senate appointed Caesar the sole Roman ruler.
3. In 44 B.C., Julius became dictator for life.
4. These steps helped remove the idea of a republic government.
5. Caesar’s adopted son, Octavian, became the first emperor of Rome.
6. Octavian did not use the title of emperor though.
7. He also restored some aspects of the republican government, but all positions had to report to
him.
8. He changed his name from Octavian to Augustus.
9. His reforms led to a 200 year period of growth and stability known as the Pax Romana.