History Unit 5

what political factions arise during this period and how do they contribute to the demise of the republic

The two political factions are the optimates and the populares. The optimates were a group of nobles in the republic who thought they should rule because they are better. The populares sought to gain support from the popular assembly and the tribunes, and against the dominant oligarchy. Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus were Populares. These two factions supported the demise of the republic because they constantly fought each other, causing civil wars. Their were brawls in the streets and many members of both sides were killed. The optimates did not like the Gracchi brothers who were populares, and both later were assassinated. Also these two factions would cause men to rise to power without going through the Cursus Honorum. Men, like Gaius Marius, rose to power using force. A populare named Julius Caesar followed on the acts of Gaius Marius and ceased power for himself. He was popular with the people, but was assassinated by a group of senators. The republic was no more

Roman civil war

There were several civil wars in ancient Rome, especially during the late Republic. The most famous of these are the war in the 40s BC between Julius Caesar and the optimate faction of the senatorial elite initially led by Pompey and the subsequent war between Caesar's successors, Octavius and Mark Antony in the 30s BC

Mark Anthony

Was Caesar's chief assistant. He and Octavian successfully defeated the conspirators and began to rule Rome together(2nd Triumvirate). However he lost support of the people because of his affair with Cleopatra and Octavian defeated him and became Emperor.

Restoration of Tribunate

When Pompey and Crassus run for consul they promised would restore the tribune. This marks end of cursus honorum

Gaius Marius

general who tried to solve unemployment by inviting poor people to join the army, creating a force more loyal to him than to Rome A Roman general appointed be the Senate to capture Jugurtha of Northern Africa. He reformed the military into a much more efficient system, making sure that all soldiers were professionals that had no family and all soldiers were paid directly by their commanders, a key part of Caesar's rise to power later on.

Julius Caesar

100-44 B.C. Roman general who became the republic's dictator in 45 B.C. During a civil war the Roman Senate allowed him to become a dictator but he refused to give it up and the senate eventually killed him. But his name came to mean "emperor".

Mithradates

134-63 BC, one of the Roman Republic's most formidable and successful enemies, who engaged three of the prominent generals from the late Roman Republic in the Mithridatic Wars: Lucius Cornelius Sulla, Lucius Licinius Lucullus. He lost though.

Roman women and marriage

2 types of marriage: sinemanu stay with fathers authority cummanu authority handed over to husband Roman marriage laws could gain women autonomy

Pax

200 year period of peace in Rome.

Gallic Campaigns

58-50 BC Caesar went and captured Gaul and Britain. Got Caesar very popular

Social War

91-87 BCE A civil war between Rome and its Italian allies that began because of Rome's refusal to give the Italians citizenship and ended with the Italians receiving full citizenship

Spartacus

A Roman gladiator who led the most serious slave revolt in Roman history from 73 to 71 B.C.E.).

Cicero

A Roman senator renowned for his oratorical skill. Cicero speaks at Caesar's triumphal parade. He later dies at the order of Antony, Octavius, and Lepidus. Novus Homo from equestrian order lawyer writer orator and statesman not a military man believed in concord orders elected consul 63 BCE

Battle of Pharsalus

A battle in which Caesar faced Pompey's troops, even though they were half their size and Caesar still decisively won. It was short and Caesar had shown mercy, meanwhile, Pompey fled to Egypt.

novus homo

A consul member from a non-noble family "New man" - no consular ancestors

What were the strengths and weaknesses of the Roman Republic?

A strength in the Roman Republic was that everyone had a chance to participate in government. Also, the poor had a way to protect themselves. A weakness was that it did not have an unified army. This would ultimately play a major role in the downfall of the republic because the separated armies would be more loyal to their general not the state. optimates populares always squabbed

Brutus

A supporter of the republic. Best friend of Caesar. He killed Caesar because he was worried Caesar will demolish the republic and it was for the good of Rome.

Cassius

A talented general and longtime acquaintance of Caesar. Cassius dislikes the fact that Caesar has become godlike in the eyes of the Romans. He slyly leads Brutus to believe that Caesar has become too powerful and must die, finally converting Brutus to his cause by sending him forged letters claiming that the Roman people support the death of Caesar. Impulsive and unscrupulous, Cassius harbors no illusions about the way the political world works. A shrewd opportunist, he proves successful but lacks integrity.

Principate

A term used to characterize Roman government in the first three centuries CE, based on the ambiguous title princept ("first citizen") adopted by Augustus to conceal his military dictatorship

Triumvirate

Crassus Pompeii Caesar had a bond because of marriage

Crassus

Crassus became very wealthy because he killed lots of people on proscription Third General who was sent out to get Spartacus He defeated Spartacus. Crucified 6,600 slaves. He later served in the First Triumvirate.

what was Marius and what were his military reforms what effect does this have on Rome

Gaius Marius 157 BC - January 13, 86 BC was a Roman general and statesman. He held the office of consul an unprecedented seven times during his career. He was also noted for his important reforms of Roman armies, authorizing recruitment of landless citizens, eliminating the manipular military formations, and reorganizing the structure of the legions into separate cohorts. Marius defeated the invading Germanic tribes for which he was called "the third founder of Rome." His life and career were significant in Rome's transformation from Republic to Empire.

How Gaius Marius bring about the fall of the republic?

Gaius Marius was a general. Rome lacked soldiers because people started to lose their land (why?), a requirement to join the military. There were many threats from North Africa. To solve the problem. He changed the rule so landless people could serve in the military. He captured Jugurtha of Northern Africa. His reformed military made sure soldiers were paid directly by their commanders and promised to give them land after they served. The generals paid their soldiers and this made their soldiers loyal to them and not the state. The generals became more powerful than the Senate. Sulla was the first example of a powerful general supported by his troops when his army took over Rome. Like Sulla, Caesar's rise to power later on, was a result of this.

Gaius Gracchus

Gaius Sempronius Gracchus was a Roman Popularis politician in the 2nd century BC and brother of the reformer Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus Roman politician who wanted to control the Price of grain, build public works elected tribune in 123 BCE and 122 BCE continued Tiberius' land reforms new colonies to help with land shortage built roads, bridges and granaries providing jobs and grain supplies promoted the interest of equestrians tax collection in Asia juries for provincial government

Tiberius Gracchus

Grandson of General Scipio, Elected tribune in 133BC, Proposed law to take land back from Senators and give it to the landless, Very popular with the masses, Opponents organized a riot where he was killedx

Lepidus

He joins Antony and Octavius to form the Second Triumvirate to rule the Roman Empire following the assassination of Caesar. He is weak, and Antony uses him essentially to run errands.

equestrians

In the early Roman Republic, one of the richest classes in the Roman army, those who could afford to maintain a horse. By the late Republic, their role expanded into banking and commerce.

Economic and Social changes in Late Republican Period

Influx of slaves Growing gap between wealthy and poor

Populares

One of two principal patrician political groups during the later Roman Republic from about 133 to 27 BCE. The members of both groups belonged to the wealthier classes. The Populares sought to gain support from the popular assembly and the tribunes, and against the dominant oligarchy. Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus were Populares.

military reforms

Reduced in size and better trained. New source of conscription that was mandatory for all classes. More modern weaponry introduced

Praetorian Guard

The elite bodyguard of a Roman Emperor A group of about 9000 men responsible for guarding the emperor of Rome created by Octavian Augustus

Cleopatra VII

The final ruler of Ptolemaic Egypt, who deposed her husband and threw support behind Caesar and later to Marcus Antonius, whom she had several children with, that killed herself after defeat in the Battle of Actium

Gaius Octavian

Caesar named Octavius as his adopted son and heir. Together with Antony and Lepidus, he formed the Second Triumvirate to defeat the assassins of Caesar. The Triumvirate divided the Republic among themselves and ruled as military dictators. The Triumvirate was eventually torn apart under the competing ambitions of its members. After the end of the Second Triumvirate, Augustus retained his autocratic power over the Republic as a military dictator. The resulting constitutional framework became known as the Principate, the first phase of the Roman Empire. The reign of Augustus initiated an era of relative peace known as the Pax Romana (The Roman Peace). Augustus dramatically enlarged the Empire. Augustus died in 14 AD at the age of 75.

Julian Calendar

Caesar's biggest reform, this became the basis for our modern calendar

Jugurtha

Numidian king who bribed corrupt roman generals and senators. Marius and Sulla overthrew him

Augustus

(63 BCE - 14 CE) First emperor of Rome (27 BCE - 14 CE) He restored order and prosperity to the Empire after nearly a century of turmoil. Grandnephew to Julius Caesar. Reforms of Augustus restored the institution respectful for the senate used his own money public works encouraged revival of ancient religious practices eliminate provincial buses reformed tax system

Donations of Alexandria

Antony and Cleopatra gave their children parts of the Roman empire that weren't theirs to give; they gave it to Alexander Helios and his twin sister, Cleopatra Selene, Ptolemy Philadelphus, and Ptolemy Caesar (son of Cleopatra and Caesar).

How did Augustus lay the foundation for a stable government in the Roman empire?

Augustus formerly known as Octavian rose to power after his Uncle's assassination. He fought Marc Anthony for control of Rome. Marc Anthony fled to Egypt so he could have Cleopatra's troops on his side. However, Augustus crushed Anthony's and Cleopatra's forces and the two allies committed suicide. Octavian became known as Augustus, but preferred the title princeps. Augustus lived for a very long time and created pax romana meaning 200 years without civil war in Rome. His principate would live on for years after his death. He implemented an organized currency for trade He improved the tax system with a census He created jobs by making the unemployed build temples and roads.

Battle of Philippi

Battle in 42 BCE pitting Antony and Octavian against Brutus and Cassius, where Antony emerged victorious despite Octavian's defeat.

How did Julius Caesar become dictator for life? Why was he popular with the people and unpopular with the senate?

Julius Caesar was a general in the Roman army. He led raids on pirates and was successful. He joined together with Crassus and Pompey to form a Triumvirate. He then became a consul for one year. After, Caesar led successful campaigns in Gaul. His army was very loyal to him because of the many victories. Caesar wrote many accounts during his time in Gaul and they were sent back to Rome and read out loud. He became very popular with the people. Pompey ordered Caesar to come back. Caesar knew if he came without his army, he would be persecuted or assassinated, so he came back with his army. (Rubicon) He defeated Pompey, enabling him to control Rome. (Battle of Pharsalus) Pompey fled to Egypt, where he was killed by Ptolemy XIII. Caesar had followed Pompey to Egypt and was very displeased to learn that Ptolemy killed Pompey, who was an old friend of Caesar. Caesar then sided with Cleopatra VII to overthrow Ptolemy. Caesar then went back to Rome to take back power. He then threw many games and celebrations, so many people liked him. The senate however disliked him. Caesar wore robes and crowns that kings would wear. He also started taking lots of control for himself. He made himself dictator for life. He then was assasinated.

Agrarian Problem

Land overloading

latifundia

Large farming estates Plantation

Princeps

Latin for "first citizen." Augustus and other Roman emperors gave themselves this title to distinguish themselves from Hellenistic monarchs

who was Sulla what were his policies and what was his legacy for Rome

Lucius Cornelius Sulla c. 138 BC - 78 B was a Roman general and statesman. He had the distinction of holding the office of consul twice, as well as reviving the dictatorship. Sulla was awarded a grass crown, the most prestigious and rarest Roman military honor, during the Social War. Sulla's dictatorship came during a high point in the struggle between optimates and populares, the former seeking to maintain the power of the oligarchy in the form of the Senate while the latter resorted in many cases to naked populism, culminating in Caesar's dictatorship. Sulla was a highly original, gifted and skillful general, never losing a battle; he remains the only man in history to have attacked and occupied both Athens and Rome. In a dispute over the eastern army command (legally awarded to Sulla by the Senate) fomented by Marius who wanted the Mithridatic command for himself, and during a period of extreme instability in Rome, Sulla unconstitutionally marched his armies into Rome and defeated Marius in battle. After his second march on Rome, he revived the office of dictator which had been inactive since the Second Punic War over a century before, and used his powers to enact a series of reforms to the Roman constitution, meant to restore the primacy of the Senate and curb the power of tribunes. After seeking election to and holding a second consulship, he retired to private life and died shortly after. Sulla's decision to seize power - ironically enabled by his rival's military reforms that bound the army's loyalty with the general rather than to Rome - permanently destabilized the Roman power structure. Later leaders like Julius Caesar would follow his precedent in attaining political power through force.

Ides of March

March 15, 44 BC the day Ceasar was murdered

Pompey

Roman general and statesman who quarreled with Caesar and fled to Egypt where he was murdered (106-48 BC)

How were the Punic Wars responsible for Roman Imperialism?

The Punic Wars had two major powers involved. Carthage and Rome. Rome started to acquire lots of land and started to inch on Carthaginian territory in Magna Graecia. The Carthaginians despised the thought of Roman influence in Sicily. The two superpowers fought each other in a series of three wars. Rome won all three of the wars claiming Sicily, Spain. and parts of Northern Africa.

what does this civil war reveal about the changing character of Rome

The civil war revealed Roman honor faded. The days of Cincinatus were over. Many Romans were consumed by power. Many senators and leaders were bribed. Crassus made a list of people that he wanted dead called prosription. Many of his enemies were esxecuted and this would happen for all types of factions. This shows decling is moral values and honor as time went on

How did the land reforms contribute to the fall of the Roman republic?

The latifundia bought a lot of small farmer's land. Many of these small farmers were soldiers off at war. These soldiers could not maintain their land because they were serving. This caused a lot of unemployment. The army size started to diminish. Gaius Marius was a general. Rome lacked soldiers because people started to lose their land a requirement to join the military. There were many threats from North Africa. To solve the problem. He changed the rule so landless people could serve in the military. He captured Jugurtha of Northern Africa. His reformed military made sure soldiers were paid directly by their commanders and promised to give them land after they served. The generals paid their soldiers and this made their soldiers loyal to them and not the state. The generals became more powerful than the Senate. Sulla was the first example of a powerful general supported by his troops when his army took over Rome. Like Sulla, Caesar's rise to power later on, was a result of this. there were mobs of unemployed looking for jobs caesar got the mobs trust and used them to gain power

Slavery In Rome

The results of the addition of slaves were that a change in nature of Roman society. Now, rich households might have had 100s of domestic slaves instead of a few. Politically the rich class often feared the slaves. As the number of slaves increased the Romans passed laws to try and protect themselves. Economically, slaves labored in agriculture, mining, and working in large gangs. In the cities, the slaves and citizens often worked in the same occupations and the slaves could earn money through their work. Often, the slaves actually dominated higher status jobs like tutoring and teaching. In addition, the disparity between the rich and poor increased. While some Romans earned mass fortunes, many others suffered. Socially, slave uprisings disrupted Italy and Sicily. The most famous uprising was led by the slave Spartacus.

Cornelius Sulla

aristocrat who led the patricians to victory in the civil war . A noble and a consul. Came to prominence during Social War. Disagreed with Marius' use of the army and used the army to fight against Marius' idea and take power/control.

Battle of Actium

battle between Marcus Antony and Octavian for control of the empire. Octavian won in 31 B.C.

proscription

list of Sulla's enemies that he wanted to be killed

Optimates

the group of nobles in the republic (the political group who thought they should rule because they are better) * after upset with Gracchi Roman public divided into 2 political groups

Pontifex Maximus

the high priest of Rome, the head of Roman state religion; he appointed and oversaw the vestal virgins.