Fall of Rome (Rome after Julius Caesar's Death)
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Imperator Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus Divi Filius Augustus
Shortly after Julius Caesar's death, the conspirators, Marcus Brutus and Gaius Cassius, were defeated in battle by Marcus Antonius. Antony was supported by Lepidus, who together had a dream too lead the country for a long time. Unfortunately for Antony, Caesar's grand-nephew and adopted son, Octavius, claimed his father's inheritance, even though Antony declared that money to be the people's money. This sparked a long-term rivalry between Antony and Octavius.
By 43 B.C. Cicero, a surviving conspirator against Caesar, had done everything in his power to ensure that Antony would not be the one to rise to power. Cicero provoked Antony into war, in which Antony had to be saved by Octavius. As a direct result of Octavius's victory, the Senate decided to give the consulship to Octavius, forming the Second Triumvirate.
As the Second Triumvirate ruled for a few years, the state could not have been worse, as the triumvirs were described as despots. Up until 31 B.C., the Second Triumvirate ruled, and Antony had Octavius had conquered much land both East and West. Antony became a hated man in Rome because of his love for Cleopatra. He was inclined to be buried next to her in Egypt, and as a result the Romans hated him even more. Octavius found this as an advantage, and declared war on Cleopatra. Antony publicly divorced her, and he became public enemy number one in Rome. Octavius led his ships to Egypt, where both Antony and Cleopatra agreed to have a naval battle rather than a ground battle, and Octavius defeated Antony, thus ending his political career.
On account of Octavius returning to Rome, Lepidus steps down and leaves Octavius to rule Rome as emperor. The Senate gave an official title to Octavius, as Augustus. He was also given the title Imperator, which gave him command of the Roman army. Although his titles made him seem like a dictator, he softened his look by calling himself Princeps Civitatis, or First Citizen. This title made him look like he was more of a magistrate than a dictator. Augustus would reign for 45 years, and dies at the age of 75. He is described to be not as a great as Caesar, but more successful in hindsight. He was nicknamed the Conservative Reformer, meaning he carefully slalomed his way around reforming the government while not destroying any existing policies.
After the death of Augustus, many emperors would rise to the throne, but the notable emperors being Tiberius, Nero, and Domitian were characterized as tyrants. The many emperors who reigned over Rome after Augustus were military despots, who only cared about extending their own personal agendas. Around A.D. 190, the Romans were repeatedly attacked by multiple tribes including, the Goths and Vandals of the North. Between the years of 211 A.D. and 284 A.D., 23 soldier emperors would be killed in succession by their own rivals from Rome.
Diocletian, the emperor of Rome during 284 A.D., increased the minting of coins to pay for the massive deficit in military power. This led to mass inflation and angered the people. Adding to the threats of northern Europe, the people felt an even larger feeling of disconnection from their leadership. In A.D. 307, Constantine became the emperor, and was recognized as a decent ruler. Constantine left Rome and created the new capital as Constantinople (now Istanbul). This decision bu Constantine was not a very good one, as their western borders shrunk, and they faced stiff opposition from the Muslims of the East. As more and more tribes attacked Rome through the 300s and early 400s, Rome was left desolated after the Vandals final attack on Rome in 476 A.D. The emperor at the time, Romulus Augustulus, was removed from power and Rome was now ruled by Odovocar, leader of the Goths.
By 43 B.C. Cicero, a surviving conspirator against Caesar, had done everything in his power to ensure that Antony would not be the one to rise to power. Cicero provoked Antony into war, in which Antony had to be saved by Octavius. As a direct result of Octavius's victory, the Senate decided to give the consulship to Octavius, forming the Second Triumvirate.
As the Second Triumvirate ruled for a few years, the state could not have been worse, as the triumvirs were described as despots. Up until 31 B.C., the Second Triumvirate ruled, and Antony had Octavius had conquered much land both East and West. Antony became a hated man in Rome because of his love for Cleopatra. He was inclined to be buried next to her in Egypt, and as a result the Romans hated him even more. Octavius found this as an advantage, and declared war on Cleopatra. Antony publicly divorced her, and he became public enemy number one in Rome. Octavius led his ships to Egypt, where both Antony and Cleopatra agreed to have a naval battle rather than a ground battle, and Octavius defeated Antony, thus ending his political career.
On account of Octavius returning to Rome, Lepidus steps down and leaves Octavius to rule Rome as emperor. The Senate gave an official title to Octavius, as Augustus. He was also given the title Imperator, which gave him command of the Roman army. Although his titles made him seem like a dictator, he softened his look by calling himself Princeps Civitatis, or First Citizen. This title made him look like he was more of a magistrate than a dictator. Augustus would reign for 45 years, and dies at the age of 75. He is described to be not as a great as Caesar, but more successful in hindsight. He was nicknamed the Conservative Reformer, meaning he carefully slalomed his way around reforming the government while not destroying any existing policies.
After the death of Augustus, many emperors would rise to the throne, but the notable emperors being Tiberius, Nero, and Domitian were characterized as tyrants. The many emperors who reigned over Rome after Augustus were military despots, who only cared about extending their own personal agendas. Around A.D. 190, the Romans were repeatedly attacked by multiple tribes including, the Goths and Vandals of the North. Between the years of 211 A.D. and 284 A.D., 23 soldier emperors would be killed in succession by their own rivals from Rome.
Diocletian, the emperor of Rome during 284 A.D., increased the minting of coins to pay for the massive deficit in military power. This led to mass inflation and angered the people. Adding to the threats of northern Europe, the people felt an even larger feeling of disconnection from their leadership. In A.D. 307, Constantine became the emperor, and was recognized as a decent ruler. Constantine left Rome and created the new capital as Constantinople (now Istanbul). This decision bu Constantine was not a very good one, as their western borders shrunk, and they faced stiff opposition from the Muslims of the East. As more and more tribes attacked Rome through the 300s and early 400s, Rome was left desolated after the Vandals final attack on Rome in 476 A.D. The emperor at the time, Romulus Augustulus, was removed from power and Rome was now ruled by Odovocar, leader of the Goths.