Late Republic

Question 1

Marcus Tullius Cicero

Answer 1

• new man (novus homo)
• brilliant orator!
• sides with optimates for politics
• consul 63 BCE
• conspiracy of catiline
• senatus consultus ultimum
• exile to cilicia in 58 BCE
• later: proscribed by Mark Antony, 43 BCE

Question 2

Gaius Julius Caesar

Answer 2

• patrician
• 65 funeral games for his father
• 320 pairs of gladiators
• debt
• victories in Spain as praetor
• popularis methods and alignment

Question 3

60 BCE: the problems

Answer 3

Pompey: land for veterans, ratify his settlement in the East after defeating Mithridates
Caesar: wants a triumph (re. Spain) and run for consul
Crassus: rewrite bad deal on tax - collecting in Asia (for equestrian tax - collecting companies, the publicani)

Publicani are tax collectors
Equestrians are a wealth class

Question 4

The solution: first triumvirate (Caesar, Crassus, Pompey)

Answer 4

• 59 BCE: first triumvirate
• Caesar is consul in 59 BC
• passes bills for Pompey and Crassus through the assemblies not the senate
• 5-yr command in Gaul for Caesar
• renewed in 55 BCE
• Crassus killed at battle of Carrhae in Parthia, 53 BCE

Question 5

Julius Caesar

Answer 5

• rivalry between Pompey and Caesar escalates
• Pompey appointed to “save the republic”
• Caesar invades Italy 49 BCE
• civil war against Pompey, who is defeated in 48 BCE

Question 6

Caesar as dictator, 48 - 44 BCE

Answer 6

• given 10 year term
• settles veterans (colonies)
• increased the senate
• expands citizenship in N Italy
• reforms the calendar
• holds office of Pontifex Maximus

Question 7

Assassination of Caesar, ides of march, 44 BCE (15 March)

Answer 7

• about to leave for Parthia
• assassins Brutus and Cassius
• Caesars will: adopts great - nephew Gaius Octavius

Question 8

After Caesar’s death

Answer 8

• Caesar adopts great nephew in his will
• New name: C. Julius Caesar Octavianus
• Rivalry between Mark Antony and Octavian
• Senate votes Caesar a god (42 BCE)

Question 9

Second triumvirate, formed 43 BCE

Answer 9

• Mark Antony, Octavian, Lepidus
• They ally and defeat the assassins of Caesar
• Proscriptions (including Cicero)
• Marriage alliance (Antony m. Octavia)
• Special commands
• Antony in the East– with Cleopatra