Fall of the Roman Republic World History - Libertyville HS

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 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

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) 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)

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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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

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) 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)

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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

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 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

End of First Triumverate What were 1 st Triumverate 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 What were 1 st Triumverate 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

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! 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!

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 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

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) 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)

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) 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)