Roman Revolution 1 Flashcards
Who ‘started’ the Roman Revolution?
The election of T. Sempronius Gracchus as one of 10 tribunes
What are tribunes?
Representatives of the people
they run the tribal assembly and pass laws
What problems does Gracchus want to fix?
1: trouble recruiting soldiers for war - they need to maintain the vast empire they conquered, no more eligible citizens, no more land for farming which makes them eligible
2: large and growing number of poor and unemployed people, farmers lose their land, there’s no welfare system
What was Gracchus idea to solve the problems?
take Italian land owned by Rome (senators) and divide it amongst the poor, the poor now have land to farm, and are now eligible for military service
Senate says NO
What are the two ‘parties’ of Rome?
Optimates: conservative, wealthy, against helping average person
Populares: supported interest of people from poor to rich
What does Gracchus do as a result of the Senate’s rejection?
Does something unprecedented, but not illegal
He ignores the Senate and takes idea to the tribal assembly and passes the law
Makes senate upset and exposes the idea that the senate isn’t really required
What was the final straw for Gracchus?
He announces his re-election, an unprecedented act
Since he’s popular, Senate is afraid he’ll win and take power away from them
Who and what happened during the election in late 133?
P. Cornelius Scipio Nasica, cousin of Gracchus, and hated him
He resorts to violence to kill Gracchus and save the Seante
What happens in 107?
C. Marius is elected as one of two consuls in 107
a man who does not have a background of famous people or wealth
What were consuls?
co presidents of the Roman State, top of the political ladder
usually lead the army
What problem does Marius first encounter?
The same as Gracchus - not enough soldiers
What is Marius’ plan to solve the first problem?
accept poor citizens volunteers to fight in army
state provides military equipment
large army is made up
Senate says yes
What problem does Marius second encounter?
After victory in Africa and Germany, he has a large army he no longer needs on duty
What is Marius’ plan to solve the second problem?
Reward the soldiers by giving them land
Senate says NO
What does Marius do to get around the Senate?
he goes to tribune official to have proposal legislated in tribal assembly and it passes
