The Decline of the Roman Republic

Time Line of Ancient Rome Consider the timeline on page 164 of your textbook. What has been the nature of the development of Rome to this point? What have been the most significant events or moments so far?

Gaius Marius Political Reforms/ Actions Military Reforms/ Actions Not a Patrician was a part of the Tribune. Elected as consul. Received command of N. Africa behind the Senates back. Military Reforms/ Actions Reformed the military – professional soldiers who were paid by the general. Men served 16 years. Consequences/ Outcomes Army became more loyal to the general then the Senate. This will be used by generals such as Sulla and Caesar to become dictators.

Lucius Cornelius Sulla Political Reforms/ Actions: Elected consul as reward for serving Marius. Marched on Rome with his army. Killed many senators and took their property. Increased senators # to 6000. Military Reforms/ Actions: Changed the legion – 10 cohorts of 6000 men each. Thus, senate loses control of the army. Civil war between Marius and Sulla. Consequences/ Outcomes: 82 BCE Sulla was appointed dictator. Became an example of other ambitious generals.

First Triumvirate (60 BCE) All military adventurers who cared nothing for the Republican constitution by which they had prospered. Private arrangement to split government amongst themselves in 60 BCE. Formed the first Triumvirate, the Rule of Three Men. Temporary measure for all three to gain power.

Crassus & Pompey became consuls in 70 & 55 BCE Pompey and Crassus Pompey – fame as military general. Wanted political power but from low social class. Started military career under Sulla – successful campaigns in Spain and Middle East. Extended Empire in the East to Mesopatamia. Became gaurdian of the senate and was sent to kill Caesar who had illegally crossed the Rubicon River. Killed in Egypt by Ptolemy after loosing against Caesar. Crassus Very wealthy and gained fame for crushing the slave revolt. In an alliance with Caesar Campaign in the East ended his life (Parthia) Crassus & Pompey became consuls in 70 & 55 BCE

The First Triumvirate cont'd... Julius Caesar A patrician but poor with political and military ambitions. Took control of the armies of Northern Itlay in the alliance. Declared enemy of the state by senate for refusing to disband his army – last surviving member of Triumvirate. Had himself appointed dictator for ten years. Became Pontifex Maximus (High Priest) assumed virtually all responsibility for decision making.

The Dictatorship of Julius Caesar Political Actions/ Reforms: Had all political power centralized as dictator, consul, high priest ( etc. Didn't restore the republic but created dictatorship, rewarded his followers. Extended Roman citizenship. New Calendar – the Julian Calendar Caused resentment among young patricians. Military Actions Gained great military support and extended the Empire.

After Caesar... Outcomes: Republicanism dead – patricians are left without real power and oppose this. At his death, chaos ensues. Civil war tradition continues after death. Military involvement in politics established. Power struggles continue until the rise of Octavian (Caesar's nephew).