THE RISE AND FALL OF ROME II
UNIT III
DEATH THROES OF THE REPUBLIC
Rome’s rise to power brought about great benefits to the Roman Republic, but also great problems. The ambitious of a
few men attempted to preserve the great republic that stood for nearly 500 years, but only achieved a slow and painful
death to the republic ushering in the imperial era where Rome would grow even greater in power as the Roman Empire.
REPUBLIC’S CONQUEST OF THE HELLENISTIC WORLD
The Hellenistic Kingdoms had brought peace and stability to the eastern Mediterranean, but pirates and ambitious local
kings threatened the stability of the region forcing the Roman Republic to take notice and intervene.
Macedonian Wars (215-148B.C.) – shortly after the 2nd Punic War began, the Macedonian ruler (Philip V) saw the
Roman Republic’s preoccupation with Hannibal as an opportunity to expand west into Rome’s dominion
- the Roman Republic was also drawn into protecting the small Greek kingdoms from the larger Hellenistic
kingdom of Macedonia through a series of five wars that took the Roman legions into Greece and Asia
Minor, the Roman Republic greatly weaken the power of the Hellenistic Kingdoms in the east
- the Roman’s didn’t take territory for themselves at first, but left control of the region to entrusted allies that
eventually turned control over to Rome helping Greek culture to flood into the Roman Republic
- the wars in Macedonia rekindle motives into Rome’s foreign policy that foreign campaigns can bring great
benefits to Rome while making the commanders of these campaigns great wealth, fame and political power
REFORMING THE REPUBLIC
Tensions between Roman’s classes (patricians and plebeians) had continued to grow since the birth of republic causing
violence and civil wars that threatened to tear the Republic apart if the strained relationship was not addressed.
Gracchi brothers (Tiberius and Gaius) – these two brothers attempted to use the position of Tribune of the Plebs to
address the needs of the poor land owners by proposing land reforms limiting the amount of land one could hold
- Tiberius was assassinated and later Gaius was executed on exaggerated charges by their political enemies
(the elite senatorial land-owners) introducing the concept of political murder to Rome
MARIUS AND SULLA
The ambition of Marius and Sulla had more to do with the fall of the Roman Republic and the political culture of Rome
afterwards than any other peoples in Rome’s history. The feud between these ambitious men would tear Rome apart and
set a deadly president for future ambitious Romans.
Jugurthine War (112-106B.C.) – after Jugurtha became king of Numidia (north African province), he began killing
Romans in the province gaining Roman’s attention who elect Gaius Marius to the consulship to deal with
Jugurtha
- Marius quickly puts down Jugurtha’s troops forcing Jugurtha to flee until Marius’s lieutenant, Lucius
Cornelius Sulla, traps and kills Jugurtha
- Marius is given credit for the victory and honored with a triumph (pubic parade in Rome to display the
spoils of victory) as a resentful Sulla goes unnoticed by many
The barbarian tribes of the Cimbri and Teutons move south into Roman territory and crush a Roman army in 105B.C., as
many in Rome fear the barbarians would be at the Roman gates before long.
Cimbrian War (105-100B.C.) – the Romans elected the general Marius again for an unprecedented 5 consulships to deal
with the threat from the Cimbri and the Teutons (again, Sulla plays a major role in these victories)
Marian Reforms – to deal with the barbarian threat, Marius abolishes land qualifications for military service
and begins to institute volunteers into the army who begin to see the army not as a duty but a career
- these semiprofessional soldiers look to Marius and his victories to secure everything from their pay and land
to veteran bonus at retirement
- these reforms forced many in the armies to become more loyal to their generals not the state and for generals
to become more political to secure these entitlements to the army
In 88B.C., Sulla was elected to the consulship and given command of an army to deal with Mithridates who was leading a
revolt in the Roman provinces in Asia (a victory against Mithridates would bring in tremendous wealth and fame)
- Marius comes out of retirement seeking a 7th consulship wanting the same appointment which is granted to
him by an assembly called at the request of a tribune
The Rise and Fall of Rome II 1
CIVIL WAR
Dispute over command of the armies led Sulla to march his army on Rome to defend the rights of the Senate and secure
the command he was owed becoming the first time a Roman army came into the city as were used against each other
Sulla’s First Civil War (88-87B.C.) – Sulla defeats Marius (flees to Africa) and takes over Rome restoring and
strengthening the power of the Senate before leaving to lead the campaign against Mithridates in Asia
- while Sulla was away, Marius returns and takes over Rome reversing Sulla’s reforms and declares himself
and his coconspirator Cinna as consuls before dying and leaving Cinna in charge
Sulla’s Second Civil War (83-82B.C.) - Sulla returns to defeat Marius’s supporters killing thousands of political/personal
opponents being declared dictator (ruler with absolute authority) by the Senate to fix the problems in Rome
- began restructuring the politics of Roman, strengthened the Senate and weakened the role of tribune
While the Senate regained much of their previous powers, the lasting effect of Sulla is how one person with an army can
gain power and control of Rome  shows how the use of the army can gain power
THE TRIUMVARITES
After Sulla’s death, the Senate appointed a young general, Pompey, as a general to secure their restored positions
Pompey – puts down a rebellion in Sicily and Africa gaining him political and military glory along with a triumph
(youngest general to achieve one) and is then sent to Spain
- returns to Italy to help Crassus (the richest man in Rome) put down a slave rebellion led by a young
gladiator named Spartacus in the Third Servile War
- defeats a series of pirates in the Mediterranean securing Roman trade and defeats Mithridates for the final
time taking an enormous amount of land and wealth returning to Rome as the most powerful Roman ever
Although Pompey and Crassus were ambitious and feared by the Senate for their power, the two men disliked each other
forcing Crassus to seek help and support from the young general, Julius Caesar to counter Pompey’s power
First Triumvirate (60-52B.C.) – secret and informally created alliance between Crassus, Pompey, and Caesar to
unofficially run Rome’s armies and benefit each other politically through consulships and favors
- the Republic’s main armies were divided amongst them with Pompey in Spain, Crassus in Syria, and
Caesar in Gaul (modern day France)
Gallic Wars (58-50B.C.) – Caesar conquers Gaul and crosses into Britain expanding Rome’s domain into that
region along with gaining tremendous wealth, power, and fame to rival Pompey
- in 53B.C. Crassus is killed in a failed invasion of Asia while the Senate voted to give all power to Pompey
- in 50B.C., fearing Caesars power, the Senate asked Caesar to lay down arms and give up his command before
his governorship of Gaul was up to which Caesar refuses
Caesar’s Civil War (49-45B.C.) – Julius Caesar chooses to take his army into Italy (illegal) crossing the Rubicon River
- Caesar pursues Pompey who retreats to Greece with an army as Caesar is declared dictator before facing
Pompey’s forces in Spain and crossing the Adriatic Sea to pursue Pompey in Greece
- Caesar is nearly defeated once he arrives in Greece before Pompey engages him a second time where he is
defeated for the first time and flees to Egypt where he is assassinated
- Caesar remains in Egypt allying himself with Cleopatra in an Egyptian civil war helping her win and
bringing Egypt and Rome into closer relations.
Julius Caesar (46-44B.C.) – after being declared dictator for life (instead of six months), he increased the Senate to 900
members adding many of his own supporters which greatly weakens its power while still maintaining the
establishment of a republic… a weak one
- in 44B.C. after centralizing the military and political power of Rome into his own hands, Julius Caesar
alienated much of Rome’s elite and is assassinated as a power struggle follows
Second Triumvirate – a group of powerful men come together to form a new Triumvirate between Octavian (heir to
Caesar (grandnephew)), Mark Antony (Caesars ally and assistant) and Lepidus (Caesar’s cavalry
commander) who soon retires leaving the other two in charge
- the two men fight amongst each other with Mark Antony fleeing to Egypt and allying himself with Cleopatra
- Octavian crushes the combined army and navy of Cleopatra and Antony who later commit suicide
Being the last man standing, the Senate awards Octavian in 27B.C. the title of Augustus “revered one” and becomes the
first emperor of Rome (imperator – commander in chief = emperor) as the Roman Republic falls to become an empire.
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