Rome in the Late Republic

Rome in the Late Republic

• Rule by one man, the princeps (the emperor) was established by Augustus after the Battle of Actium in 31BC (arguably).
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• Bildunterschrift: A statue of Emperor Augustus in Rome

82-44BC

• 82: Sulla invades Rome
• 81-79: Sulla is dictator and introduces proscriptions / reforms the constitution
• 77: Pompey crushes revolt of Lepidus
• 77-3: Pompey in Spain
• 73-1: revolt of Spartacus / Pompey returns from Spain
• 70: Pompey and Crassus are consuls
• 67: Pompey against the pirates
• 66: Pompey against Mithridates
• 63: Cicero is consul
• 62: Pompey returns from the East
• 60: First Triumvirate
• 59: Julius Caesar is consul
• 58-49: Caesar in Gaul
• 56: gang warfare disrupts Rome
• 55: Pompey and Crassus are consuls
• 52: Pompey is sole consul
• 49: Caesar crosses the Rubicon
• 49-45: Civil War
• 48: Pompey defeated at Pharsalus and escapes to Egypt / is murdered there by Ptolemy
• 44: Caesar becomes dictator for life and is murdered by the Senatorial Conspirators in Rome

82-44BC

• Rome was set up to run as a city-state, not a large empire (e.g. the check system for proconsuls once they re-entered Rome meant that they were reluctant to do so). The development of large estates put pressure on the traditional Roman farmer - for example, grain produced in Africa and imported was cheaper than home-grown grain (and the growth of importance of those related to import / export was impacted - e.g. Pompey).
• The rise of the professional army after Marius' reforms meant that men were loyal to their general, not the state (prior to these, you had to own land and have a qualification to join the army).
• Power gradually moved from the Senate/State into the hands of strong personalities.

Sulla

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• Bildunterschrift: Sulla
• Sulla Lucius Cornelius Sulla was a noble from a prominent senatorial family.
• He served under Marius in wars in Africa and Germany.
• He was given consulship in 88BC, and given command of the war with Mithridates, the Asian king. However, this was given to Marius by the Assembly.
• Sulla marched on Rome with six legions, at which Marius fled.
• While Sulla was leading the war, Marius and Cinna took power in Rome, using riots and violence.
• When Sulla returned, he marched on Rome again in 83BC and restored order.
• He was declared dictator in 82BC, held until 80BC, when he became consul again.