The rise of Julius Caesar and the changes in the Roman empire, his murder and rise of Augustus as the Pax Romana Emperor.

1. Birth of an Empire:
Rome
Standard 6-2.4: Describe the expansion and transition of the
Roman government from monarchy to republic to empire,
including the roles of Julius Caesar and Augustus Caesar
(Octavius)

2. Leading up to the Empire……
• The Roman Republic lasted for almost 500 years
• Continued to grow more powerful through extensive trade and conquest
• Trade led Rome to have conflict with surrounding powers throughout the
Mediterranean regions
• This resulted in several wars as they expanded their control
• Carthage was Rome’s main foe in the Punic Wars- fought for control of the
Mediterranean region

3. Julius Caesar
• Mostly responsible for initiating Rome’s
move away from a republic towards a
permanent dictatorship
• A Roman dictator was:
• A legal official
• Duly nominated by the Senate
• To handle a major problem
• With a fixed, limited term

5. • The Roman providences were
divided up between the three:
• Crassus, the financier, took
Syria
• Pompey, the general, took
Spain
• Caesar took Cisalpine,
Transalpine Gaul, and
Illyricum.

6. The Rise of Julius
• Julius Caesar eventually turns his army towards Rome and becomes
the single Ruler

7. Rome Under Caesar
• Julius Caesar granted citizenship to many colonials, thus widening his base of
support.
• Caesar granted pay to Proconsuls (governors) to remove corruption and gain
allegiance from them.
• Caesar established a network of spies.
• Caesar instituted a policy of land reform designed to take power away from the
wealthy.
• Caesar reduced the powers of the Senate so as to make it an advisory council only.

8. • Caesar was appointed dictator for life and took the
title of imperator
• The Roman people began to be fearful that he would
try to become a king

9. The Murder of Julius Caesar
• In an effort to save the
Republic, 60 Senators plotted
to murder Julius Caesar
• In March of 44BC, the
Senators stabbed him 60 times
next to the statue of his
former co-leader Pompey

10. Second Triumvirate
• Consisted of Octavius (Augustus), Marcuc
Aemilius Lepidus, and Mark Antony
• Created in 43 BC
• Consul power was assigned to the three men,
instead of the traditional 2 consuls

11. Rise of the Emperor of Rome
• There were years of struggle after the death of Julius Caesar
• Octavius emerged as the sole leader of Rome
• He was the adopted son of Julius Caesar
• He was given the title “Augustus Caesar”- ending the
Roman Republic & establishing the rule of emperors

12. • Roman Empire continued to expand deeper into the European
continent (both north and east)
• Rome continued to grant citizenship during this time
• Rome reached its greatest extent under Emperor Trajan during
the Pax Romana (or Roman Peace)

13. • It is called the Pax Romana not
because all of Rome was
peaceful, but because it finally
had stability in a leader- Augustus
• Many of Rome’s most notable
architecture was built during this
time
• This is considered the height of
the Roman Empire