Roman Republic and Civil War (700-27)

Question 1

Broad Chronology (250 year cycle)

Answer 1

Kings 753-509
509-264 Republic Development 
264-146 Punic Wars
146-44 Late Republic/Civil War
44-27 Death of Caesar to Augustus’s principate

Question 2

geography

Answer 2

Rome is on Tiber surrounded by mountains. Plains of Latium. Apennines down Italy. North has fertile Po valley with Milan.

Question 3

Punic Wars

Answer 3

expansion against Carthage. Ended by Scipio Africanus. First–264-241
Second–218-201
Third–149-146
Carthago Delenda Est.

Question 4

Patricians vs. Plebians

Answer 4

450–twelve tables–Rome codifies law, between Peloponnesian and Greco-Persian wars
445–marriage law where classes can intermarry
367 plebs can become consul
300 plebs can be priests
287 council of plebs–they can pass laws

Question 5

political persuasions

Answer 5

Optimates–conservative rich people who favor Senate and want republic to stay the same
Populares– speak language of commoners, want change for the people (Caesar)—liberal

Question 6

Gracchi (decline)

Answer 6

133/123Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus tribunes. related to commoners and were assassinated over land distribution.

Question 7

Marius (decline)

Answer 7

107 populist consul uncle of Caesar, put poor people in army and gave a land grant pension.

Question 8

Sulla

Answer 8

optimate consul in 88, fought Marius

Question 9

First Triumvirate

Answer 9

ambitious fight for power and wealth and popular appeal

Question 10

Pompey

Answer 10

went far east–used ambition and skill to not go through cursus honorum, wants legislation to get land grants for his army, declared that Caesar couldn’t cross Rubicon, runs to Egypt after Pharsalus in 48 and Egyptians kill Pompey to stay out of issue,

Question 11

Crassus

Answer 11

rich, slave revolt in Italy, military general, Spartacus, public works for money, wanted to renegotiate tax contracts since he bid too high, dies in Parthia

Question 12

Gaius Iulius Caesar

Answer 12

wants to continue Gaul, patrician, popularis, wanted proconsulship in Gaul, crossed Rubicon in 49, baby with Cleopatra and killed in Senate 44BC Ides of March

Question 13

Cicero

Answer 13

lawyer/consul. wants things done the right way and keep republic together, liked Pompey got him proscribed

Question 14

problem with triumvirate

Answer 14

legions are more allegiant to generals, not Rome

Question 15

Second Triumvirate

Answer 15

Marc Antony–disliked because conspiracy for rule from Egypt and Alexandria and control eastern Mediterranean. Caesar’s general–Antony flees after Cleopatra at Actium in 31, suicide in Egypt,
Octavian–Caesar’s grand nephew–adopted to be heir, won Actium and became favorite of Rome after exposing Antony and Cleopatra
Lepidus–shipped to North Africa