Fall of the Roman Republic

1. Fall of the Roman Republic World History - Libertyville HS

2. Post Punic War Roman Republic • Divisions of the People • Aristocratic classes • Senators held highest offices, ruled the state • Equestrian order were wealthy non Senators (tax collectors, speculators) • City population • Rabble who lived on charity and bribes of office holders • Lived for shows given by the state, rich people • Country farmers • Peasants who used to be independent farmers • They lost their lands to rich creditors

3. Post Punic War Roman Republic • Divisions of the People • Subject population of Italy: allies who had no political rights, vote or power • Other provincial subjects (Sicily, Spain) • No power • Duty to pay tribute • Slaves: no rights – just service (POWs)

4. Problems with the System • Great mass of people were excluded from political rights • Conquered subjects not part of Rome, proper • Voting could only take place in city of Rome (inefficient) • Decay of Patriotism • Men in control of state were motivated by self interest • Aristocratic classes were out for themselves • Both used state power for their own gain

5. Attempts to Reform Republic • Tiberius Gracchus • Elected tribune in 133 BC • Proposed land, social reforms • Limit land ownership to 640 acres • If you owned over 640 acres, land would be confiscated and redistributed to poor • Senate reaction • Anger, fear vs. Tiberius and the people; led to assassination of Tiberius in 132 BC

6. Attempts to Reform Republic • Gaius Gracchus • Elected tribune in 122 BC (re-elected 121 BC) • Social reforms • Used public money to purchase grain to be re-sold to poor at low prices • Proposed full citizenship for all Italians • Senate reaction • 121 BC: Senate was outraged; cancelled laws • Gaius and thousands of his followers were killed during riot resisting cancellation

7. Attempts to Reform Republic • Lesson from this period? • Violence became acceptable tool of statecraft (respect for law declined, esp amongst rich) • New style of politics introduced • “Appeal to the masses” • Ignore patrician class and go straight to the people, appealing to their passions & interests

8. Gaius Marius • Marius elected Consul in 107 BC • Marius was a man of the people • Reformed Roman Army Pre-Marian Army Marian Reforms Soldiers moved to professional footing Army career opened to unemployed volunteers Non-citizens made up vast majority of soldiers • Drafted for a particular conflict • Non-professional army which required citizens to serve • Personal wealth determined your place in the army

9. Gaius Marius • Attractions of Army Career • Regular pay and advancement • Booty! • Land grant from general, upon retirement • Grant of citizenship upon retirement • Term of service = 20 years • Soldiers often given land in newly conquered areas (militia)

10. Significance of Marian Reforms • Army became more efficient and effective • Army became a more flexible fighting force • Army became loyal to a general, NOT the Roman state or senate

11. Attempts to Reform Republic • Sulla, elected Consul in 88 BC • Sulla was a patrician (pro-senate) • After consul term expired, Marius and his allies tried to block Sulla from getting a customary generalship • In response, Sulla marched his army on Rome • Civil War, 87 to 82 BC • Sulla victorious, executed 100s who opposed him

12. Attempts to Reform Republic • Sulla = Patrician “Counter reform” • Restoration of Senate powers • Reduced powers of assembly • Increased size of Senate • Placed all powers of government in hands of Senate • Used army to kill opponents to Senate • Sulla resigned power, died peacefully in 78 BC

13. Julius Caesar • Very astute politician • Relative of Marius (pro Senate family) • Recognized that power rested with the people • Supported extending citizenship to all Italians • Fantastic speaker and brilliant general (Spain, Gaul) • Upon return from Spain, he demanded a victory parade – great political tool • Senate refused, fearing his popularity

14. Julius Caesar • Caesar persuaded Pompey, Crassus to join him to seize power • Formed First Triumverate (Pompey: General; Crassus: rich!) • Rise of Julius Caesar is considered the beginning of the end of the Republic – Why? • Power rested w/ 3 men, not Senate / Assembly • 2 of three men were generals = military control

15. First Triumverate • What did each man gain? • Pompey (army rewarded) • Crassus (more money!) • Caesar (military command) • Caesar knew that the way to power was through military success • Army gave general loyal army • Army gave general power base • Army gave general wealth • Army gave general popularity, prestige

16. Caesar, in Gaul • Caesar needed to achieve military success • Goal was political, NOT military, power • Needed to conquer somewhere close to Rome • Appearance of threat to Rome so he could “save” the state • Chose Gaul (France) • Caesar / army conquered all of France, Belgium • Invaded Britain twice

17. Caesar, in Gaul • What happened in conquered territories? • Caesar allowed self government of surviving tribes • Gauls saw advantages of adopting Roman customs, way of life • Romanization: assimilating outsiders into Roman system • Settlers, colonists followed Caesar’s armies and settled, further “romanizing” the area

18. End of First Triumverate • What were 1stTriumverate members doing? • Crassus killed in battle • Caesar fighting in Gaul • Pompey getting jealous • Senate declared Caesar an “enemy of the state” • Demanded he give up his army and return to Rome for trial – certain death • Why? Afraid of his power, popularity

19. Overthrowing the Republic • 49 BC: Caesar decided to “Cross the Rubicon” • Traditionally, no armies allowed in Italy unless under control of Senate • Rubicon river = border • “Crossing the Rubicon” meant someone committing an irreversible course of action • Result? Civil War!

20. Overthrowing the Republic • Pompey vs. Caesar • Caesar defeated Pompey (assassinated) • Caesar’s dictatorship • Caesar campaigned against Parthians (revenge / Crassus) • “Veni, vedi, vici” • 46 BC: Returned to Rome where Senate appointed him dictator for 10 years • Elevated Caesar above laws, constitution • 44 BC: appointed dictator for life

21. Dictator Caesar • Caesar’s reforms aimed at improving common man’s life • Senate: made it advisory • Expanded voting to all Italians, provinces, & Gaul • Encouraged colonies to expand farmer class, romanization • Made serious effort to break down distinctions between patrician & plebeian, Italian & provincial (all Romans)

22. Caesar’s Fall • Many patrician Romans hated, resented Caesar’s assumption of power • March 15, 44 BC • Group of senators assassinate Caesar in Senate • “Et Tu Brute?” - last words (ID friend)