This document summarizes the decline of the Roman Republic from the 2nd century BCE to the rise of Augustus as Rome's first emperor. It describes how plebeian farmers struggled after wars and cheap grain imports made farming unprofitable, forcing many to sell their land to patricians and become poor. Reform leaders like the Gracchi brothers and Marius tried to help the poor but were opposed by senators. Spartacus' slave rebellion showed unrest was growing. The document then outlines the rise of figures like Sulla, Pompey, Julius Caesar, Mark Antony and Octavian in the civil wars that eventually ended the Republic and led to the Principate under Augustus.

2. Class conflict
• Those plebeian farmers lucky enough
to return found their farms in disrepair.
• Worst still, cheap grain pouring in from
the provinces they conquered made
farming non profitable for them.

3. Plebeians become proletariat
• Many sold their lands to
Patrician senators, who ran
huge estates with slave labor.
• Plebeian families spent the
money and became poor
proletariat in Rome.

4. • The basic Roman value of simplicity
and morality were undermined as
Romans fell in love with Hellenistic
culture.
• Juvenal wrote “Luxury has fallen
upon us more terrible than the
sword”.

5. Reform Leaders
2nd Century
 Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus
• Land reform
• Cheap grain for poor
• both killed by senators along with
thousands of their supporters
• But marius continued their reforms


6. 1st time popular movement to
challenge the senate

7. Military Reformer
 Gaius Marius 157-87 BCE
 elected consul 7 times
• from a plebian family
• Recruited army from
the poor and homeless
the proletariat.
• He promised soldiers
land, and paid them
• His army became loyal
to him more than the
senate

8. Military Reformer
 Gaius Marius 157-87 BCE
 The other classes did
not mind as they had
better things to do

9. Many, young patricians no longer want to be
in the Legions. The new generation began
to love luxury.

10. • Opened the door for politicians
who married the people with the
army, or who defended the
senate.

11. First Civil Wars
 Sulla 138– 78 BCE vs MARIUS
 The senate elected him
dictator
• Marched on Rome with 5 legions
• Executed Marius followers
• Then retired
• Julius Caesar flees

12. Spartacus (109–71 BC)
 slave uprising
 republic not working
for the poor
• A gladiator
• Won many battles against
patrician armies
• eventually defeated by
Crassius


13. Spartacus (109–71 BC)
• crucified along the apian
way with 10,000’s of
followers
• a lesson to the Patricians
some started reforms


14. Julius Caesar
Ruthless politician, continued the reforms.
From one of the oldest patrician families.
Sided with the people over the senate.

15. Julius Caesar
Controlled the proletariat of Rome with free
food and games.

16. First Triumvirate
(rule of three men)
 Julius Caesar the greatest
 General of Rome
 Pompey Successful General
 in East
 Crassus richest man in Rome
 Two of 3 consul for many years

17. Roman empire
before Caesar and Pompey

18. Roman empire
after Caesar and Pompey

19. Caesar's conquests Gaul
vs King Vertaxius

20. Alesia
September, 52 BC
Strategic Context
Julius Caesar considers Gaul secure until it revolts under the leadership of Vercingetorix, an
Arverni chieftain. Vercingetorix does not rely on an impulsive, barbarian offensive strategy
which Caesar expects; the Gauls do not allow a decisive battle to take place for fear it will be a
decisive defeat. Instead, the Gauls fight a partisan war by retreating and destroying everything
behind them. Caesar grows impatient, especially after the failed assault against the fortress of
Gergovia and the inconclusive skirmish at the Vingeanne. Vercingetorix retires to Alesia and
Caesar follows; it appears Vercingetorix, pressured by his allies, is finally giving battle.
Stakes
+ A Roman victory would crush the Gallic
revolt and remove Vercingetorix as a
nuisance for good.
+ A Gallic victory would heighten the
insurrection and threaten Roman control
over the entire region.
By Jonathan Webb, 2009 ©

21. Alesia, 52 BC
Strength
Romans
Well
Gauls
Well
23,000 cavalry
150,000 infantry
Vercingetorix
15,000 cavalry
40,000 infantry
Julius Caesar
By Jonathan Webb, 2009 ©

23. Caesar surrounds Alesia with his entire force and builds some earthen walls and a wide ditch on the western plain. He decides to blockade rather
than assault the city because of it already holds a naturally fortified position on a hilltop and a large Gallic force within it. At first, Vercingetorix
encamps his force on Alesia’s slopes because he expects Caesar to attack from the east before reinforcements can be summoned.
The Romans begin construction on lines of contravallation, extensive barriers to prevent the Gauls in Alesia from escaping and protect the
Romans from any attack by them. These fortifications face inward and consist of a double ditch backed by a 12-foot high rampart and missile
towers, with macabre traps, many invented by Caesar and his men, littered everywhere possible. Vercingetorix sends his cavalry to halt
construction of such a ruthless line of defence but Caesar’s own cavalry drive them back to Alesia; construction continues until completion.
The same night the Romans complete construction, Vercingetorix sends his cavalry away for two reasons: there are insufficient supplies to feed the riders along
with their animals and reinforcements must be summoned immediately. The Romans, exhausted, are unable to intercept the Gallic cavalry but their punishing
defences still inflict heavy casualties. Instead, Caesar orders a second line of fortifications, lines of circumvallation, to be built to defend against an attack from a
Gallic relief army. This second line is just as savage and fortified as the first except this one faces outward.
Vercingetorix’s force within Alesia runs out of supplies and hope just as a massive Gallic relief army arrives, led by four other chieftains. Some Gallic infantry
rush out to begin filling the wide ditch in anticipation of an immediate assault by the relief army. However, the relief army is unprepared to make such a hasty
assault after a long journey so Caesar sends out his cavalry to challenge the small cavalry contingent brought with the relief army. The two cavalry forces
exchange blows all afternoon until the Roman cavalry finally defeat the Gauls and chase them from the field, discouraging the besieged Gauls as Caesar
intended.
Vercingetorix
Commius/
Vercassivellaunus/
Viridomarus/
Epoderix
Romans
(Caesar)
Gauls
(Vercingetorix)
At midnight, the Gallic relief army launches an attack on the western side of the Roman fortifications. Caesar is able to transfer reinforcements to
the threatened sectors and repel the attack decisively after heavy fighting from behind his extensive lines of circumvallation. Vercingetorix tries to
coordinate his attack with the relief army but only learns of the attack when the Romans do. His infantry are therefore delayed by the first wide
ditch and reach battle too late to aid the relief army’s efforts. Gauls on both sides of Roman lines retire to their camps.
Gauls
(Vercingetorix)
150,000 infantry
23,000 cavalry
Romans
(Julius Caesar)
40,000 infantry
15,000 cavalry
NN

24. Vercingetorix
Commius/
Vercassivellaunus/
Viridomarus/
Epoderix
Commius/
Viridomarus/
Epoderix
Vercassivellaunus
At midnight, the Gallic relief army launches an attack on the western side of the Roman fortifications. Caesar is able to transfer reinforcements to
the threatened sectors and repel the attack decisively after heavy fighting from behind his extensive lines of circumvallation. Vercingetorix tries to
coordinate his attack with the relief army but only learns of the attack when the Romans do. His infantry are therefore delayed by the first wide
ditch and reach battle too late to aid the relief army’s efforts. Gauls on both sides of Roman lines retire to their camps.
The Gauls scout the impressive Roman lines for weaknesses before considering another assault. The Gallic leaders determine the most vulnerable sector to be the northwest
corner where a steep hill prevents proper fortification. Under cover of night, Vercassivellaunus leads a strong infantry force behind the nearest hill; he strikes against this
vulnerable place in daylight while the rest of the relief army parades in front of their camp. This massive attack is somehow coordinated with Vercingetorix who simultaneously
sends his infantry against three sides of the Roman lines of contravallation, one of which dismisses the attack almost at once. Caesar sends reinforcements to wherever is
needed at that very moment.
Fighting is desperate in all sectors, especially in the northwest where the Romans are under attack from two sides. Caesar’s fortifications and his presence
prove their worth everywhere. His timely appearance in the southern sector inspires his infantry to defeat the Gauls and end this threat. He is then able to shift
reinforcements over to help the northwest sector hold while he sends his cavalry outside the fortifications. The Roman cavalry sweep across the flank and rear
of the heavily committed Gallic infantry, scattering the entire force. Vercingetorix sees the attack has failed and once again retires to Alesia.
Vercingetorix summons his subordinates to a council and proposes a surrender. The Gauls have suffered grave
casualties, have not yet breached the Roman fortifications while Alesia has no supplies. None of his subordinates
object. Vercingetorix personally surrenders to Caesar while nearly every Gallic tribe involved also capitulate.
Romans
(Caesar)
Gauls
(Vercingetorix)
Gauls
(Vercingetorix)
150,000 infantry
23,000 cavalry
Romans
(Julius Caesar)
40,000 infantry
15,000 cavalry
NN

25. Alesia, 52 BC
Casualties & Aftermath
Romans: Gauls:
12,000
or
22%
>40,000
or
23%
By Jonathan Webb, 2009 ©
The majority of the Gallic tribes immediately bowed down to
Roman authority while Vercingetorix was taken to Rome
and executed. The few resisting tribes still active were
individually hunted down and defeated by Caesar the
following year, proving the futility of the Gallic cause. Gaul

26. The Art of Battle:
Animated Battle Maps
http://www.theartofbattle.com
By Jonathan Webb, 2009 ©

27. Gaul Campaign
• He fought against three million men subjugating 300 tribes
and 800 cities.

28. • He gave his legions land when
they retired, and paid them
with plunder.
• Gaul was stripped of wealth,
the people made slaves, and
Vercingetorix sent to Rome in
chains.

29. Pompey
2nd Civil War
Julius Caesar
VS

30. 49BCE Crossing the Rubicon
river with his legions, and
marches on Rome
The Die is Cast!

31. Caesar is elected
First Consul for life
Then Dictator for life

32. Caesar
defeats
Pompey in
Greece,
chases him
to Egypt, but
the
Egyptians
behead
Pompey

33. Caesar
subjugates Egypt
Cleopatra
Ptolemy 7th
they fall in love
Have a child
Caesarian

34. Caesar’s triumvirate
Cleopatra enters Rome

36. • He reforms the calendar, names
the month of July after himself.
• Plans the invasion of Persia
• Adds 600 senators (900)
• Gives land in the provinces to
poor.
• But…..

37. The Ides of March!
44 BC Caesar assassinated by
the Senate led by Brutus

38. 2nd Triumvirate
destroys the armies of the senate
• Octavian Caesar's
adopted son
• Marc Anthony Caesar's
cavalry General
• Lepidus richest senator
in Rome

39. 2nd Triumvirate
ends in 3rd civil War
• Octavian Consul of West vs Marc Anthony
• Consul East

40. Octavian defeats Marc Anthony and
Cleopatra at the battle of Actium

41. They retreat to Egypt
and kill themselves
• Leaving Octavian as the only consul

43. Octavian Augustus:
Rome’s First Emperor

44. Pax Romana: 27 BCE – 180 CE

45. End Republic