The Social War, Marius, Sulla &
Caesar: Patricians vs. Plebeians
Global History I
Spiconardi
Social Structure
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Patricians  elite aristocrats of Rome
Plebeians  commoners of Rome
Republic  Government whose power is based
on popular representation
The Social War
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Causes
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Patricians refused to allow plebeians to hold high
political office
The Roman government refused to give its allies
citizenship
Peasant farmers were reduced to slaves
Political disputes between the Optimates (Patrician
Party) and Populares (Plebeian party)
The Social War
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Resolution
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Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus & Gaius Sempronius
Gracchus pass legislation
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Limited the amount of grain patrician could buy
Freed up more grain for plebeians to buy
Assassination
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The Optimates had both Gracchi brothers
assassinated
The Populares and Italian allies revolt, but are put
down by Optimate controlled army
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Oddly enough, they were granted citizenship under the Lex
Iulia
Marius vs. Sulla
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Two Consuls of Rome, but hated each other
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Marius  member of the Populares
Sulla  member of the Optimates
In his seventh term as consul, Marius
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Re-organizes voting methods to give the plebeians
more of a political voice
Distributed grain to the plebeians
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Patricians are OUTRAGED!
Marius vs. Sulla
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In an attempt to seize power and control the
army in an upcoming war Sulla…
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marches on Rome and causes Marius to flee for his
life
overturns all the reforms to aid the plebeians
Marius vs. Sulla
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While at Sulla was at war
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Marius returns to Rome
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Burns down Sulla’s home
Kills patrician supporters of Sulla
Sulla returns to Rome with his army
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Defeats Marius
Post conscription lists
Takes land away from plebeians & gives to his troops
Makes his troops Senators
Limits political power of the plebeians
Marius vs. Sulla
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Significance
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End of the Republic?
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Elections did not matter
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Whoever controlled the army, could control Rome
Plebeians lose political power
Agricultural production declines
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Sulla’s legions aren’t farmers
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Rome forced to import grain from Africa
Gaius Julius Caesar
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Nephew of Marius
Adopts populares platform
Rises through the political ranks of Rome
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Excellent Politician
Makes alliances with high-ranking government
officials (Pompey, the most celebrated man in
Rome)
Gaius Julius Caesar
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Rise to Power
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Conquers Gaul
Caesar and Pompey distrust one another
Caesar marches on Rome and civil war breaks out!
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Pompey and patrician government officials flee Rome
Caesar wins the war and his made dictator for life
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Pardons all political enemies
Gaius Julius Caesar
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Activities and Reforms
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Increases size of the Senate
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New seats are filled by plebeians and conquered Gauls
Revised Calendar (Stole it from Egypt)
Redistributes land to plebeians and veterans
Gaius Julius Caesar
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Absolute Monarch or Man of the People?
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Senate fears his pro-plebeian reforms
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How dare he take from the patricians!
Senate fears relationship with Cleopatra
Accused Caesar of bribery and corruption
Gaius Julius Caesar
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The Assassination
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Senators including those
pardoned by Caesar plot an
assassination
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“E tu Brutus?”
Caesar is approached by the
Senators and stabbed to death
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How about this for irony….Caesar
collapses at the foot of a statue of
Pompey
End of the Republic

Republic officially ends
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Caesars grand-nephew & adopted
son Octavius
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Hunts down Caesar’s assassins
Defeats Caesar’s advisor Marcus
Antonius in a power struggle
Is crowned Emperor of Rome and given
title Augustus Caesar