The Social War, Marius, Sulla & Caesar: Patricians vs. Plebeians

1. The Social War, Marius, Sulla & Caesar: Patricians vs. Plebeians Global History I Spiconardi

2. Social Structure • Patricians  elite aristocrats of Rome • Plebeians  commoners of Rome • Republic  Government whose power is based on popular representation

4. The Social War • Causes • Patricians refused to allow plebeians to hold high political office • The Roman government refused to give its allies citizenship • Peasant farmers were reduced to slaves • Political disputes between the Optimates (Patrician Party) and Populares (Plebeian party)

5. The Social War • Resolution • Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus & Gaius Sempronius Gracchus pass legislation • Limited the amount of grain patrician could buy • Freed up more grain for plebeians to buy • Assassination • The Optimates had both Gracchi brothers assassinated • The Populares and Italian allies revolt, but are put down by Optimate controlled army • Oddly enough, they were granted citizenship under the Lex Iulia

6. Marius vs. Sulla • Two Consuls of Rome, but hated each other • Marius  member of the Populares • Sulla  member of the Optimates • In his seventh term as consul, Marius • Re-organizes voting methods to give the plebeians more of a political voice • Distributed grain to the plebeians • Patricians are OUTRAGED!

7. Marius vs. Sulla • In an attempt to seize power and control the army in an upcoming war Sulla… • marches on Rome and causes Marius to flee for his life • overturns all the reforms to aid the plebeians

8. Marius vs. Sulla • While at Sulla was at war • Marius returns to Rome • Burns down Sulla’s home • Kills patrician supporters of Sulla • Sulla returns to Rome with his army • Defeats Marius • Post conscription lists • Takes land away from plebeians & gives to his troops • Makes his troops Senators • Limits political power of the plebeians

9. Marius vs. Sulla • Significance • End of the Republic? • Elections did not matter • Whoever controlled the army, could control Rome • Plebeians lose political power • Agricultural production declines • Sulla’s legions aren’t farmers • Rome forced to import grain from Africa

10. Gaius Julius Caesar • Nephew of Marius • Adopts populares platform • Rises through the political ranks of Rome • Excellent Politician • Makes alliances with high-ranking government officials (Pompey, the most celebrated man in Rome)

11. Gaius Julius Caesar • Rise to Power • Conquers Gaul • Caesar and Pompey distrust one another • Caesar marches on Rome and civil war breaks out! • Pompey and patrician government officials flee Rome • Caesar wins the war and his made dictator for life • Pardons all political enemies

13. Gaius Julius Caesar • Activities and Reforms • Increases size of the Senate • New seats are filled by plebeians and conquered Gauls • Revised Calendar (Stole it from Egypt) • Redistributes land to plebeians and veterans

14. Gaius Julius Caesar • Absolute Monarch or Man of the People? • Senate fears his pro-plebeian reforms • How dare he take from the patricians! • Senate fears relationship with Cleopatra • Accused Caesar of bribery and corruption

15. Gaius Julius Caesar • The Assassination • Senators including those pardoned by Caesar plot an assassination • “E tu Brutus?” • Caesar is approached by the Senators and stabbed to death • How about this for irony….Caesar collapses at the foot of a statue of Pompey

16. End of the Republic • Republic officially ends • Caesars grand-nephew & adopted son Octavius • Hunts down Caesar’s assassins • Defeats Caesar’s advisor Marcus Antonius in a power struggle • Is crowned Emperor of Rome and given title Augustus Caesar