Rome in the Late Republic
Slides in this set (4)
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- Rule by one man, the princeps (the emperor) was established by Augustus after the Battle of Actium in 31BC (arguably).
- Caption: A statue of Emperor Augustus in Rome
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- 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
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- 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.
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- Caption: 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.