In the 70s BC, Rome was experiencing political instability and unrest as politicians and generals pursued power through war while the population increased. Cicero advocated for reform by limiting the power of generals and restoring checks on power, but most disagreed. Julius Caesar rose to power as a successful general who conquered Gaul, gaining popularity that threatened Pompey. After Pompey's defeat, Caesar made himself dictator for life, but was assassinated by senators who feared he wanted to become king.

1. Disorder in the
Republic
Social Studies for 9th EGB
Teacher: Mauricio Torres

2. Background
• In the 70s BC, Rome was full
of dangers:
– Politicians and generals went
to wars to increase their own
power.
– Political order was breaking
down.
– Riots emerged
– People migrated to Rome from
all over the empire.

3. Calls for change
• New people emerged during these
difficult times. One such man was
Cicero, a philosopher and a gifted
orator.
– He wanted the upper class
(Optimates) to get together and make
Rome a better place.
– To do this, they had to limit the power
of the generals and restore the checks
and balances system, as it was before.
• Most of the Romans disagreed with
Cicero. Other would not listen to
him.
– Some generals took advantage of this
situation to seize power for themselves.
One of them was Julius Caesar.

4. Caesar’s Rise to Power
• Caesar was a great general, admired for
his bravery and skills in battle.
– His own soldiers worshipped him, because he
endured their same hardships and he also
treated them well.
• During the 50s BC, he conquered Gaul
(modern day France).
– This success made him an important figure in
politics. This was because he was also a good
speaker (not as good as Cicero!).
• Caesar was also well connected, he had
powerful friends and family.
– He allied himself with Pompeii (general) and
Crassus (the richest man in Rome).

5. Challenges to Caesar
• This partnership (triumvirate) lasted only 10 years.
– Crassus was killed in a war against the Parthians.
– After his victories in Gaul, Caesar was so popular that Pompeii grew
envious.
• In 50 BC, the Senate ordered Caesar to return to Rome and
disband his armies.
– Obviously, Julius Caesar refused. He led his troops back towards Rome into
open confrontation, by crossing the Rubicon, he broke the law!
• Caesar chased Pompeii and his allies for many years and finally
defeated him in the year 48 BC.

6. Hail Caesar!
• In 45 BC, Caesar returned to Rome, and made himself dictator for life.
• He worked to improve Roman society, but some people resented the way he had
gained power (the Optimates mostly).
–
They feared he wanted to become REX.
• After he took some power away from the Senate, they decided to plot against
him.
–
On the Ides of March (the 15th) of 44 BC, a group of Senators, led by Brutus and Cassius
stabbed Caesar to death.

8. Ask Yourself
• Identify:
– Who was Cicero?
– What position did Caesar first hold in the government?
• Describe:
– What problems plagued Rome in the 70s BC?
• Evaluate:
– How might have Cicero been more successful in his efforts to improve Rome?
• Main Ideas:
– Why did Caesar cross the Rubicon with his army?
• Recall:
– What did Caesar do to Pompey?
• Generalize:
– Why was Caesar killed?

9. Bibliography
• Burstein, S. M., & Shek, R. (2012). World History (Teacher´s Edition)
(1st Edition ed.). (H. McDougal, Ed.) Orlando, Florida, US.:
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
• Images taken from www.google.com