By the 3rd century B.C., the Romans conquered the Italian peninsula & began to exert power in the Mediterranean world
But, the growth of Rome threatened Carthage, the superpower of the Mediterranean world
In a series of battles known as the Punic Wars, Rome defeated Carthage & began the dominant power in the Mediterranean
The primary cause was the conflict over the control of Sicily, which was strategically located and valuable for trade.
After the Punic Wars, Rome conquered new territories & gained great wealth
One of the generals who led Rome’s expansion was a politician named Julius Caesar
Rome’s expansion brought wealth, but also created problems:
The addition of new lands & sources of slave labor increased the gap between the rich & poor
Senate Struggles for power led to a series of civil wars in Rome
Generals who controlled the armies became more powerful than the politicians in the Senate
Generals became more powerful than the ___________
The addition of new land and resources increased the gap between the ________ and ___________
Struggles for power led to a series of __________________ in Rome
The Rise and Fall of Julius Caesar
Julius Caesar took advantage of the chaos in Rome & was named dictator in 46 B.C.
He initiated a series of reforms that offered Roman citizenship to conquered people & created new jobs
- Many Senators feared Caesar’s popularity & power as dictator of Rome
What was Julius Caesar’s role in the Roman government before he became dictator?
A. General
B. Tribune
C. Senator
D. Governor
The Punic Wars were a series of battles between _________ and ____________
In 44 B.C., Senators assassinated Julius Caesar
The assassination led to another civil war led by Caesar’s adopted nephew Octavian & his best general, Marc Antony
Caesar’s death changed Rome:
People no longer trusted the Senate to rule Rome & the Roman Republic came to an end & the empire began
The Rise of the Roman Empire
Octavian emerged as the unchallenged leader of Rome, was given the title Augustus (“Exalted One”), & became Rome’s first emperor
Under Augustus, Rome was ruled as an empire; the Senate still met but the emperor had all the real power