The Gracchus BrothersTiberius and Gaius Gracchus attempt reform.Tiberius (133 B.C.E.) limited the amount of

public land senators could use & moved landless citizens to countryside.

123 B.C.E.-Gaius elected tribune. He tried to increase the power of the Assembly of Tribes and he used public funds to buy grain for the poor.

Marius and SullaGaius Marius was a military hero who also

attempted reform. He traded a professional army for a draftee

army.Lucius Cornelius Sulla was a consul who

showed what ambitious generals could do.He kicked Marius out of power which led to

civil war.

The First TriumvirateJulius Caesar, a nephew of Marius, was

gaining popularity during this period.He realized that he had gained enemies in

the Senate and teamed up with the generals Pompey and Crassus in 60 B.C.E.

They would be known as the first triumvirate and Caesar would become consul in 59 B.C.E.

Julius Caesar

Pompey

Crassus

Caesar in PowerCaesar as proconsul (Roman governor) of Gaul.Pompey persuaded the Senate to order Caesar

home without his army in 49 B.C.E. [Caesar refused]

Pompey and followers fled and Caesar assumed control

What did he do next?Named dictator in 46 B.C.E. and dictator for

life in 44 B.C.E. just before he was assassinated.

The Second TriumvirateCaesar named his grand-nephew, Octavian,

as his heir but there was a scramble for power.

Marc Anthony and Lepidus took control with Octavian and formed the second triumvirate in 43 B.C.E.

Marc Anthony would fell in love with Cleopatra and go to Egypt while Octavian would force Lepidus to retire.

Octavian

Marc AnthonyLepidu

s

Octavian: the First AugustusAnthony and Octavian divided the Empire but

in time Octavian would persuade the Senate to declare war on Anthony and Cleopatra. Octavian defeated their forces in 31 B.C.E.

Octavian wanted to avoid Caesar’s fate, so he was very careful with the Senate.

The Senate appointed him sole ruler, but he carefully preserved the outward appearance of the Republic.

Octavian is generally referred to as the first Roman emperor even though he never used the title.

Under his rule Rome’s territory stretched from Spain in the west to Syria in the east and from the Rhine and Danube rivers in the north to Egypt and the Sahara in the south.

The Julian EmperorsTiberius (14 C.E.-37 C.E.) was the adopted

son of Augustus and was an adequate ruler.His successor, Caligula, was murdered while

Claudius was an intelligent man who administered the Empire well.

Nero (54 C.E.-68 C.E.) was hated because of his cruel and unpredictable policies and would commit suicide.

TiberiusCaligula

ClaudiusNero

The Good EmperorsA number of emperors supported by the army

would rule before Nerva came to power.Trajan (98-117) would extend Rome to its

greatest size.Hadrian supported the arts and proved to be

an able ruler.The reign of Antoninus Pius was uneventful.Marcus Aurelius, the last good emperor,

reigned from 161-180.

Nerva Trajan Hadrian

Marcus Aurelius

Antoninus Pius