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The Roman Republic

The Roman Republic. HST 121: Western Civilization to 1500. Outline. Guiding principles Organization Problems of the Late Republic. Guiding principles. Concentrated power is dangerous Division of royal power into numerous offices annual elections

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The Roman Republic

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  1. The Roman Republic HST 121: Western Civilization to 1500

  2. Outline • Guiding principles • Organization • Problems of the Late Republic

  3. Guiding principles • Concentrated power is dangerous • Division of royal power into numerous offices • annual elections • Different law-making and electing assemblies • Ambition is bad • Glory through holding office is good • “cursus honorum” • Restraint is absolute necessity • “republican virtue” • No term limits (restraint was inner-directed)

  4. Guiding principles • Clans had distinct political personalities • i.e., Julians • Patron-client relationships (Metellans and Marius) • Marriage alliances • Elections were violent • Public voting • Intimidation and sometimes murder • Gridlock is good

  5. Organization • Religious • Pontifex maximus • Censor • Vestal virgins • Legislative • Senate: meets sine die • Comital “military” assembly • Tribal “popular” assembly • Executive

  6. Organization of the executive • Consul • War leaders, chief magistrates • Praetor • judges • Aedile • Markets and festivals • Quaestor • treasury • Tribune (10) • Plebian office; veto

  7. Organizational chart • Dictatorship • Over time two broad factions develop • the nobiles or optimates supported power of the patricians and the Senate • the populares supported the power of the plebians and the Assemblies

  8. The Late Republic • The successful functioning of the Republic required • constant turn over in office • Competition of relative equals • The acquisition of empire allowed some individuals to become more powerful than others • A succession of individuals had to outdo each other • Marius, Sulla, Pompey, Caesar

  9. Marius (157-86 B.C.) • From plebian background, only 2 names • Made name in army • Becomes client of the Mettellan clan • Praetor 116 • Marries a Julian (110) • Serves as legate in Numidia • Will run for consul, pledging new sort of army

  10. Marius triumphant • Returns to Numidia and wins war against Jugartha • In 101, Marius led defense of Rome against German invaders • Consul 7 times • 107 • 104-100 • Exiled in 87 after conflict with Sulla and Senate • Leads army of supporters into Rome in 86 • 86

  11. Sulla (138-78 B.C.) • Lucius Cornelius Sulla • From impoverished patrician family • Lived disreputable youth • Served as Marius’ deputy in Numidian War • Responsible for capture of Jugartha

  12. Sulla’s coup and constitutional revisions • Convinced by nobiles to betray the populares • In conflict with Marians, will invade Rome and be proclaimed dictator by Senate (82-80) • Proscribes (pro scribo) “enemies of the State” • Leaders of the Marian faction murdered • Revises constitution to increase power of the Senate

  13. Pompey (106-48 B.C.) • Protégé of Sulla • Originally with the patrician faction • Conquered Spain, Asian pirates and kingdoms (Judaea) • Swung over to plebian side in 50s through alliance with Gaius Julius Caesar

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