Roman Reformers

Tiberius Gracchus Became a tribune in 133 B.C. Became a tribune in 133 B.C. Wanted to divide up public lands and give to poor Wanted to divide up public lands and give to poor Vetoed by another tribune Vetoed by another tribune Eventually, Senate staged a riot and had him and his followers killed Eventually, Senate staged a riot and had him and his followers killed

Gaius Gracchus Tiberius’s younger brother, Tribune in 123 B.C. Tiberius’s younger brother, Tribune in 123 B.C. Had government take over sale of wheat and sell it to the poor below market price. Had government take over sale of wheat and sell it to the poor below market price. Eventually, 1/3 Romans were receiving wheat for free Eventually, 1/3 Romans were receiving wheat for free Senate felt threatened and in 121 B.C. had him killed Senate felt threatened and in 121 B.C. had him killed

Gaius Marius General who became consul in 107 B.C. General who became consul in 107 B.C. first lower class Roman to be elected to such a high office first lower class Roman to be elected to such a high office Set up professional army, everyone could join. Set up professional army, everyone could join. Offered pay, land, pensions, and items Offered pay, land, pensions, and items Helped by providing jobs, hurt by making soldiers loyal to general rather than the government Helped by providing jobs, hurt by making soldiers loyal to general rather than the government

Lucius Sulla General who opposed Marius; Sulla took his army and seized the city General who opposed Marius; Sulla took his army and seized the city Civil War broke out, in the end Sulla made himself dictator of Rome Civil War broke out, in the end Sulla made himself dictator of Rome Believed power of Senate was key to end Rome’s troubles Believed power of Senate was key to end Rome’s troubles Senators had more duties, power of Tribunes weakened Senators had more duties, power of Tribunes weakened Generals could not have more than one year at a time Generals could not have more than one year at a time

Pompey Part of Triumvirate, Believed in a republic ruled by upper class senators Part of Triumvirate, Believed in a republic ruled by upper class senators After Crassus’s death, he was murdered giving Caesar full control After Crassus’s death, he was murdered giving Caesar full control

Julius Caesar Well-educated politician who became a soldier Well-educated politician who became a soldier Named governor of Roman province in 58 B.C. Named governor of Roman province in 58 B.C. Conquered Northern France, Belgium, and invaded Britain Conquered Northern France, Belgium, and invaded Britain In 50 B.C. Senate ordered Caesar to break up his legions and return home; Instead by 46 B.C. he became dictator of Rome In 50 B.C. Senate ordered Caesar to break up his legions and return home; Instead by 46 B.C. he became dictator of Rome Redistributed state lands in Italy and founded new colonies overseas Redistributed state lands in Italy and founded new colonies overseas Gave land to thousands of ex-soldiers who had none Gave land to thousands of ex-soldiers who had none Built roads, drained marshes for land use Built roads, drained marshes for land use

Julius Caesar In 50 B.C. Senate ordered Caesar to break up his legions and return home; Instead by 46 B.C. he became dictator of Rome In 50 B.C. Senate ordered Caesar to break up his legions and return home; Instead by 46 B.C. he became dictator of Rome Redistributed state lands in Italy and founded new colonies overseas Redistributed state lands in Italy and founded new colonies overseas Gave land to thousands of ex-soldiers who had none Gave land to thousands of ex-soldiers who had none Built roads, drained marshes for land use Built roads, drained marshes for land use

Julius Caesar Keep the poor and the idle from turning into unhappy and angry mobs. Keep the poor and the idle from turning into unhappy and angry mobs. Doubled the size of the Senate Doubled the size of the Senate Gave business a chance to become senators. Gave business a chance to become senators. Cut back on activities of the publicans Cut back on activities of the publicans

Julius Caesar Gave citizenship to Greeks, Spaniards, Gauls Gave citizenship to Greeks, Spaniards, Gauls Adopted a new calendar based on the Egyptian calendar, called it the Julian calendar, similar to what is still used today! Adopted a new calendar based on the Egyptian calendar, called it the Julian calendar, similar to what is still used today! Killed him as they were afraid he was going to make himself king Killed him as they were afraid he was going to make himself king

Mark Antony Member of another triumvirate with Octavian and Marcus Lepidus Member of another triumvirate with Octavian and Marcus Lepidus Took command of Rome’s territories in the East Took command of Rome’s territories in the East Caesar’s closest follower and a popular general Caesar’s closest follower and a popular general

Octavian Caesar’s grand nephew and adopted son Caesar’s grand nephew and adopted son Took charge of the West Took charge of the West The triumvirate began to fight, Octavian won and was sole ruler of Rome The triumvirate began to fight, Octavian won and was sole ruler of Rome