A New Social Order William Halbert

Punic Wars The poor farmers went to war for a few weeks The rich took this opportunity to buy the small farms The amount of small farms shrunk and the wealthy’s land grew (latifundia)

After Punic Wars Wheat was shipped to Spain, Sicily, Northern Africa, and Sardinia Farm land was now olive groves and grape vineyards There was more pasture lands for herds of cattle Rome has conquered more land in the Mediterranean and they were rich All taxes in Italy were abolished temporarily

Struggling Poor By the late republic, Roman society was mainly divided into two parts: a small class of wealthy landowners and a large class of homeless and unemployed people There were merchants, craftsmen, and farmers that eked out a living

Slaves Huge importation of slaves Captured during Rome’s overseas conquests The slave market was located on the Roman Forum The slaves were used as farm laborers The slaves were one in three of the Roman population

Soldiers Return The returning soldiers couldn’t find a job. They went to the wealthy, but they would hire slaves instead They would look for jobs in cities and the latin cities became overcrowded Even worse the city jobs were mainly taken over by slaves

Slaves Release The slaves would be released on the census every five years They would be normal citizens, but could not hold political office

The Gracchi Two brothers: Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus (The Gracchi) From a wealthy family Their dad was the consul twice and their Grandfather Scipio, was the general who defeated Hannibal at Zama The brothers had become spokesmen for the discontented masses, and they were each elected tribune We know that the tribune can veto a proposal made by a government official

Continued... Tiberius wanted to break up the land of the wealthy and redistribute it Most people of the senate were outraged Somehow, Tiberius got the law through Sadly, Tiberius was murdered by a senator with a footstool when he stood for reelection 300 of his supporters were also clubbed to death Their bodies were thrown into the Tiber River

Gaius Became tribune in 123 BC Demanded cheap grain, and new employment opportunities for the poor plebeians. Also, He wanted to allow Italian citizenship.

Senate’s Wrath Aroused senate’s wrath and was forced to flee Rome. As he approached the Tiber river, he ordered his slave to slit his throat. Later, the Roman Soldiers cut off his head to bring back to the Senate.

Unrest Senate was divided into two parts. There were the Optimates and the Populars. Optimates wanted to keep the government as the status quo (as it was) Populares (“Those of the people”) were more liberal. They like most of the Grachi ideas.

Gaius Marius A populare that became consul from 107 until 100 BC. At first he was a plebeian and then he became a military hero. He was very admired by his soldiers.

The Plan Marius wanted to aid the poor and strengthen Rome at the same time. He recruited unemployed farmers and put them into the army. After 20 years in the army, they were rewarded with a small piece of land.

Help in the Senate Sometimes things wouldn’t go his way in the Senate. Marius would bring his army in and force them to reconsider the matter.

Lucius Cornelius Sulla General that was an Optimate. He became consul in 88 BC. Later as Dictator, he appointed himself to the position for life. He would not give any power to Marius. In fact, 100,000 men that were loyal to him were murdered. 40 people from the Senate were murdered, too.

Continued... He tried to “turn back the clock” and revive the republican government. He enlarged the Senate by three hundred men. Juries are made up of only Senators He retired to his villa in 76 BC at Campania.

The Client System The head of a clan would ask for food and money for his “clients” The patrician would give the money and food daily to the poor, but there was a catch The plebeians would vote for the patron, now.

Apartments In the city, apartments were put in. They were low cost. The city blocks were called insulae (island). The buildings were made of timber and mud brick.

Homes of the Wealthy The homes of the rich were very comfortable. The houses were called Domi. took up half to an entire block. The houses have changed a lot. For example: In the days of the kings typical buildings only atrium, a open hearth and an open ceiling above it. The houses of the late Republic were one floored and made of brick covered with plaster. The roofs were made of clay tiles. They had an atrium without the hearth, but with the opening in the roof called compluvium. The rain water was collected in a shallow pool called impulvium. The family got its daily water supply from this. Around the atrium were bedrooms, storerooms, a kitchen, a library, a lavatory, and a tamblimum. This was a room for family records and portraits.

Continued… The front rooms were rented to craftsmen The size of the house and the quality of the furniture depended on the wealth of the owner. On the walls were frescoes that were made of stone, glass, and clay. The cities became too crowded and the rich made villas on the countryside. The difference of the poor and rich was amazing.

Key Terms Latifundia Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus The Gracchi Optimates Status quo Populares Equestrians or equites Gaius Marius Social Wars Lucius Cornelius Sulla Patrons tenement Domus Mosaics Villas