1. The Social War, Marius, Sulla & Caesar: Patricians vs. Plebeians
Global History I
Adamiak

2. Social Structure Patricians  elite aristocrats of Rome
Plebeians  commoners of Rome
Republic  Government whose power is based on popular representation

4. The Social War
Causes
Patricians refused to allow plebeians to hold high political office
The Roman government refused to give its allies citizenship
Peasant farmers were reduced to slaves
Political disputes between the Optimates (Patrician Party) and Populares (Plebeian party)

5. The Social War Resolution Assassination
Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus & Gaius Sempronius Gracchus pass legislation
Limited the amount of grain patrician could buy
Freed up more grain for plebeians to buy
Assassination
The Optimates had both Gracchi brothers assassinated
The Populares and Italian allies revolt, but are put down by Optimate controlled army
Oddly enough, they were granted citizenship under the Lex Iulia

6. Marius vs. Sulla Two Consuls of Rome, but hated each other
Marius  member of the Populares
Sulla  member of the Optimates
In his seventh term as consul, Marius
Re-organizes voting methods to give the plebeians more of a political voice
Distributed grain to the plebeians
Patricians are OUTRAGED!

7. Marius vs. Sulla
In an attempt to seize power and control the army in an upcoming war Sulla…
marches on Rome and causes Marius to flee for his life
overturns all the reforms to aid the plebeians

8. Marius vs. Sulla While at Sulla was at war
Marius returns to Rome
Burns down Sulla’s home
Kills patrician supporters of Sulla
Sulla returns to Rome with his army
Defeats Marius
Post conscription lists
Takes land away from plebeians & gives to his troops
Makes his troops Senators
Limits political power of the plebeians

9. Marius vs. Sulla Significance End of the Republic?
Elections did not matter
Whoever controlled the army, could control Rome
Plebeians lose political power
Agricultural production declines
Sulla’s legions aren’t farmers
Rome forced to import grain from Africa

10. Gaius Julius Caesar Nephew of Marius Adopts populares platform
Rises through the political ranks of Rome
Excellent Politician
Makes alliances with high-ranking government officials (Pompey, the most celebrated man in Rome)

11. Gaius Julius Caesar Rise to Power Conquers Gaul
Caesar and Pompey distrust one another
Caesar marches on Rome and civil war breaks out!
Pompey and patrician government officials flee Rome
Caesar wins the war and his made dictator for life
Pardons all political enemies

12. Gaius Julius Caesar Activities and Reforms
Increases size of the Senate
New seats are filled by plebeians and conquered Gauls
Revised Calendar (Stole it from Egypt)
Redistributes land to plebeians and veterans

13. Gaius Julius Caesar Absolute Monarch or Man of the People?
Senate fears his pro-plebeian reforms
How dare he take from the patricians!
Senate fears relationship with Cleopatra
Accused Caesar of bribery and corruption

14. Gaius Julius Caesar The Assassination
Senators including those pardoned by Caesar plot an assassination
“E tu Brutus?”
Caesar is approached by the Senators and stabbed to death
How about this for irony….Caesar collapses at the foot of a statue of Pompey

15. End of the Republic Republic officially ends
Caesars grand-nephew & adopted son Octavius
Hunts down Caesar’s assassins
Defeats Caesar’s advisor Marcus Antonius in a power struggle
Is crowned Emperor of Rome and given title Augustus Caesar