Senate as a source of Legitimacy

Question 1

How does Caesar describe Pompey’s betrayal?

Answer 1

“They have seduced Pompey”

Question 2

What significant action did Pompey take to become an optimate? [Plut]

Answer 2

He married a Scipio

This marriage linked him to the Scipio family, which was associated with the optimates.

Question 3

According to Sallust what is Cataline’s motivation?

Answer 3

“I saw unworthy men elevated to honourable positions”

Question 4

What does Plutarch tell us of Catulus and Caesar which suggests the importance of top jobs?

Answer 4

If top jobs weren’t important, people wouldn’t bribe for them: “Catulus… tried to induce Caesar to desist from his ambitious project, offering him large sums of money”

Question 5

What legal framework established the 2nd Triumvirate?

Answer 5

Lex Titia

This law made the actions of the 2nd Triumvirate legal.

Question 6

At what age did Octavian seize the consulship? [Suet]

Answer 6

“He seized the consulship at 19, marching on Rome as if the city were his enemy”