Matthew Bishop

5/18/20


As Rome grew, the gap between rich and poor grew wider. The rich landowners lived on huge estates. Thousands of slave were forced to work on these estates. By 100 B.C, slaves made up 1/3 of Rome's population. Tiberius and Gaius attempted to help Rome's poor. They proposed reforms like limiting the size of estates and giving land to the poor. Both met violent deaths because they made enemies with numerous senators. A period of civil war followed their deaths. In 60 B.C, Julius Caeser took over. He conquered all of Gaul. The people of Rome loved him. He than defeated Pompey's army in Greece, Asia, Spain and Egypt. In 46 B.C he returned home to Rome where he had the support of the army and the masses. The senate than appointed him dictator. Many nobles and senators expressed concern over his growth in power. In 44 B.C. he was stabbed to death in the senate chamber. After his death civil war broke out. Rome was at its peak in 27 B.C. to A.D. 180 with Augustus as their ruler. For 207 years, peace reigned through the empire. This was because of the Pax Romana or "Roman Peace." During this time the Roman Empire included more than 3 million square miles and a population between 60- 80 million people.

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