3.12 AS Unit AH2 (Entry Code F392): Roman History from
original sources
Option 1: Cicero and political life in late Republican Rome
In studying the original sources, candidates should be able to demonstrate knowledge and
an understanding of:
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the nature and workings of Republican politics in the late 60s and early 50s BC;
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the role of the senate, elections, the cursus honorum
o Institutions of the Republic 12-14
o Sullan reforms 33-40
o restoration of the powers of the tribunes 55-57, 58
the importance of rhetoric and public speaking;
o Cicero’s speeches as evidence 8-9
o Pro Roscio 40-3
o Verrines 59-61
o debate on the Extraordinary Commands 65-6, 67-8
o Catilinarians 100-101
o consult Index ‘Cicero’s Speeches’ for other examples
factions in Rome – optimates and populares, patrons and clients;
o origins of optimates and populares 20-21
o majority in Sullan Senate 35
o leaders after Sulla, 50, 57
o opposition to Pompey and extraordinary commands, 63, 65, 67-8
o and new citizens, and Crassus, 76
o rise of Cato, 78
o on Pompey’s return, 105, 107,116
o ageing leadership of, 107, 118
o and Caesar, 108, 119, 171, 175
o and Clodius, 113
o Cicero’ view of, 147-148
o Pompey’s marriage and, 163;
o Cicero frustrated by, 175
o responsibility for Civil War, 177
o before Pharsalus, 185
o system of patron and client, 12
o patronage in legal profession, 79
o Crassus and, 75-6
o Pompey and, 106
o of individual politicians to foreign communities, 94
the effects of competition between individuals and groups in Roman politics;
o see optimates and populares above
o see index for careers of Pompey and Caesar
o causes of the Civil War, see Index
the growing influence of military leaders (including Pompey, Caesar, Crassus);
o consult Index for individual careers
the Catilinarian conspiracy and Cicero’s role.
o Cicero’s election as consul 79-84
o The conspiracy 86-99
o Sources for the conspiracy 100-104
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