Transformation of Rome to an Empire

Transformation of Rome to an Empire Austin Lamb University of Phoenix Transformation of Rome to an Empire How did Rome convert from a Republic to an Empire? The process consisted of a series of instances that brought Rome to what we know it of today. Rome becoming an Empire was a major historical event which included: the transformation from a Republic to an Empire, several events that were significant, and many characteristics that facilitated Romans success as an Empire. Rome’s official date as an Empire was dated at 27 BC.

Rome’s first official Emperor was known as Octavian and also known as Ceaser Augustus (The revered one). After the explosions of the Etruscan Kings, two Consuls were elected annually to serve as the executive powers with the Senate performing legislative and judicial tasks. Later, when the plebs refused to go to war, nearly all of them stormed out of the city. The Senate then sent a delegation to reconcile. The end result was the creation of "tribunes of the people," advocates elected to voice concerns of the plebs to the Senate.From here onwards, Rome was effectively a city-state and vied with other neighboring societies.

Meanwhile Rome conquered neighboring cities and went through several wars, diplomacy, and shrewdness. Rome had a de-facto empire before the Republic came to an end. Rome became the unchallenged masters of Italy. On March 15th 44 BCE, Julian Ceaser was murdered by Marcus Brutus, Decimus Albinus, Gaius Trebonius, and Gaius Longinus. Ceaser attended a meeting of senate when his group of murderers stabbed him over 23 times with daggers that were concealed in their togas. When in 31 BC Octavianus, the adopted son of Julius Caesar, defeated Mark Antony and Cleopatra at the battle Actium, the Romans gladly gave up political freedom for a dictatorship which assured tranquility” (Remple, 2002, p.

3). At this time, Octavian also known as Ceaser Augustus became the first emperor of Rome in 27 BC. Several events happened before the time that Rome became in Empire. Each event was very significant, however a few made a larger impact on the total outcome of the event than others.In 73 BC a slave named Spartacus, a Thracian; escaped from a slavery camp (Gladiator Training Camp) gathering over 5000 men (mainly slaves) forming his own army.

His men became so large in numbers they decided to split areas they planned to conquer, but was only successful for a few battles. They were extremely unorganized compared to others tribes. The army was so large that over four armies were sent to conquer the slaves. It was Crassus who demolished Spartacus’s army and slewed him on the field in 71 BC. Several of his men however, cut through the line and continued on their way.

Returning from Spain were Pompey and his men who claimed victory of ending The Third Slave War. The assassination of Julius Ceaser on March 15th, 44 BC was an extremely significant event that occurred in the process of Rome becoming an Empire. In 44 BC, Ceaser was offered crown as King of Rome by Mark Antoney in which he declined. At this point in those days being King was not as high in the leadership role that Ceaser wanted to hold.

“Many senators though suspected it only a matter of time until Caesar should accept such an offer, or that he simply would choose to rule as dictator forever as a quasi-king of Rome” (Centurion, 2001, p. ). A senate meeting was held to discuss Ceaser’s acceptance of taking title as King. It was said that he would accept the offer, but only have title of King for the people of Italy.

The night of the hearing, some of his personal friends including Marcus Junius Brutus and Gaius Cassius Longinus and many of his former officers plotted his death. He was at the hearing to accept the offer when they gathered around him and stabbed him to death. Before the assassination, Ceaser defeated Pompey the Great in battle and at that time Italy was very hopeful for a rest, but the death of Ceaser only created a large amount of new civil wars.After Ceaser was murdered, his legal son Octavian began war with Pompey and his mistress Cleopatra at the battle of Actium. The battle of Actium was the war that caused Rome to become an Empire and Octavian to become the Emperor.

On September 2nd, 31 BC, Antony and Cleopatra, the queen of Egypt, fought Octavian to claim territory of the Roman World. “Octavian took Italy and the western Mediterranean; Antony took the Near East and Greece and married Octavian's sister to seal the bargain” (Murray, 1997. p. 1). Antony replaced Octavian’s sister with Cleopatra and fought in battle.

Cleopatra took her troops and left battlefield while Antony left his troops behind and followed Cleopatra. Which left Octavian as winner of the battle of Actium as mentioned earlier and became the first Emperor of Rome. After Rome became an Empire, several characteristic compelled its success. Before 27 BC Rome was a constitutional Republic. Rome was run by wealthy senators and Augustus set an amount of sesterces that was divided out by heritage and chosen by him. After Rome became an Empire, the senates were the ones to choose provincial governors.

The senators were eventually recruited out of all areas including Spain, Gaul and Africa. After Rome became an Empire, most of Rome’s enemies were obligated help Rome when needed. Many of them even had to pay taxes to Rome. A great deal of Rome’s enemies had to forfeit their property to Rome or be sold back to part of Rome’s citizens. A major factor in Rome’s success was the stone paved roads built with bridges, tunnels and viaducts running over the rivers and through the mountains of Rome.

This connected all areas of Rome assisting with helps of trade, armed forces, and passage ways throughout Rome’s territory.Armed forces were recruited by any man above the age of 16 and were expected to serve a minimum of 10 years in order to acquire public office. The success of Rome transforming from a Republic to an Empire was combined of many dramatic and historical events that to this day would seem unreal. Rome becoming an Empire was a major historical event which included: the transformation from a Republic to an Empire, several events that were significant, and many characteristics that facilitated Romans success as an Empire.

The amount of wars fought and lives taking to create something that no longer even exists, seems like it could have either been for a reasonable establishment or just for the men that had to be in control; either or it is an amazing story to be researched. References Remple, G. (2002). Rome. From a Republic to an Empire. p.

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Roman-empire. p. 7. Retrieved on June 30th, 2008 from http://www. roman-empire. net Murray, W.

(1997). The actium project. p. 1. Retrieved on June 30th, 2008 from http://luna.

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