The Roman Republic lasted over 500 years with an elected government, though in times of crisis a dictator could be appointed to rule. Rome expanded through defeating neighboring cities like Carthage in the Punic Wars. Julius Caesar rose to power as a general and dictator but was assassinated in 44 BC, marking the end of the Republic. His adopted son Octavian defeated rivals and became Rome's first emperor, Augustus Caesar, establishing the Roman Empire. At its height under Emperor Trajan, the Empire spanned the most territory but then declined due to being too large to control, moral decay, invasions, and eventually splitting into Western and Eastern empires.

2. Roman
Monarchy
(Tarquin)
Roman
Republic
Roman
Empire
Decline and
Collapse of the
Roman Empire

3. A. The Roman Republic lasted more than 500
years with an elected government.
B. However, in a time of crisis such as war, the
government would appoint a dictator to run the
country.
1. Dictator - A ruler who has complete and
absolute power over a country.

4. II. Expansion of Rome
A. Rome defeated neighboring cities taking their lands such as in the Punic Wars.
1. Punic Wars - A series of three wars between Rome and Carthage.
2. Cause – Both Carthage and Rome wanted to control trade on the
Mediterranean Sea.
3. Result - Rome won and destroyed Carthage. Rome became the dominant
power in the western Mediterranean.
B. Organization of the Military
1. Legions - Total of 6,000 soldiers, each legion was divided into centuries, groups
of 100 men.

5. III. Julius Caesar
A. 59 BC - Julius Caesar was named one of the two consuls,
and ruled Rome for one year.
B. After being Consul he was named governor of
Gaul. Caesar was a successful general and conquered Gaul
(France today).
C. First Triumvirate - An alliance between Caesar, Pompey,
and Crassus. Together the 3 men ruled the Roman Republic for
10 years.
1. Eventually Crassus was killed in battle, and Julius
Caesar and Pompey had a civil war and Julius Caesar won

6. D. Julius Caesar eventually made himself dictator for life.
E. JULIUS CAESAR IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CAUSING THE END
OF THE REPUBLIC.
F. Senators were concerned he was getting too much power, so a
group of Senators attacked him, and stabbed him to death.
1. He was killed on March 15th, 44 BC on the floor of the Roman
Senate, The Ides of March.

7. IV. Caesar Augustus
A. Octavian - Caesar's Son - Later called himself Caesar Augustus.
B. Second Triumvirate - An alliance between Marc Antony,
Octavian, and Marcus Lepidus to rule Rome after the death of Julius
Caesar
C. First goal was to catch Julius Caesar's killers. They caught them,
defeated them in battle, and the killers committed suicide.
D. Octavian and Marc Antony had a civil war after Marc Antony
married Octavian's sister, then married the Egyptian Cleopatra
without divorcing Octavian's sister first.

8. E. Octavian wins the civil war and becomes Rome's first
Emperor. He took the name Caesar Augustus (Augustus means
exalted or sacred one).
1. WITH CAESAR AUGUSTUS DEFEAT OF MARC ANTONY,
IT OFFICIALLY ENDED THE ROMAN REPUBLIC, AND IT
BECAME AN EMPIRE.
a. empire - a group of states or territories controlled by one
ruler
b. emperor - Absolute ruler of an empire.
2. Under Caesar Augustus, Rome increased the size of the
empire due to trading and military conquest.

9. 3. Goods traded from lands under Roman control to the
city of Rome included raw materials such as metals, cloth, and
food.
4. Goods traded from the city of Rome to lands under
Roman control included goods made by artisans such as
jewelry, glass, and clothing.
F. Currency - Money - Roman coins of silver and gold were
used for trading.
G. Pax Romana - During this time Rome was at peace for 200
years and prospered.


10. V. Emperor Trajan
A. Under Trajan's rule, the Roman Empire
controlled the most territory it ever had.
B. The Empire had never been greater.

11. VI. Pax Romana
A. Pax Romana - "Roman Peace"; long time period of peace and
safety in the Roman Empire.
B. The Pax Romana lasted for 200 years, and except for wars on the
Roman frontier, it was peaceful.
C. Roman literature spread and Rome had responsible honest
leaders.
D. Roman citizenship was given to all free men in the empire.

12. VI. Decline and Collapse of the Roman Empire
A. Reason #1 – TOO LARGE TO CONTROL
1. Economic Cost of an Empire so large
2. Economics - Part of society that creates wealth. Wealth comes
from the production of goods and services, which people buy with
money.
3. It cost a lot of money to keep an army. The army protected
people and trade routes.
4. Government programs to take care of citizens cost money.
5. Government raised money by increasing taxes.

13. B. Reason #2 – POOR MORALS AND VALUES
1. Decline of traditional Roman values
2. As Rome grew stronger and richer, moral values declined.
3. Corruption grew also. Corruption - Decay of people's values.
4. Example - Corrupt government officials took bribes and used
threats to achieve goals such as political power.

14. C. Reason #3 – INVASIONS FROM OUTSIDERS
1. Threats from Outside the Empire
2. Groups such as the Vandals, Angles,
Saxons, Huns, and Visigoths attacked and
invaded parts of the Roman Empire making it
weaker.

15. D. Reason #4 – DIVISION OF THE EMPIRE
1. Division into Eastern and Western Empire
2. Emperor Diocletian thought the empire was too large for one
person to rule and split it into two parts.
3. Eastern Part became known as the Byzantine Empire.
Constantinople became its capital.