The fall of the Roman Republic was driven by a complex interplay of political corruption, social inequality, and military strife. As wealth and power became concentrated among a few elite families, the gap between rich and poor widened, leading to civil unrest. Key figures such as Julius Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus, known as the First Triumvirate, exploited this unrest and engaged in power struggles. The rise of personal armies transformed loyalty from the Republic to individual leaders. The assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 BCE triggered a series of civil wars, ultimately culminating in the establishment of the Roman Empire under Augustus.