The Fall of the Roman Republic Flashcards
Why did Sulla march on Rome?
He had received word that his political enemies meant to put him on trial for war crimes and so he marched his soldiers on Rome and fought a civil war.
Problems facing the Roman Republic 2 BC due to expansion of the empire?
1) As Rome expanded the land conquered was divided between citizens which made them eligible to fight in the armies. The Roman army consisted of a citizen body of small holders who fought to defend their land interests and in doing so could gain more land. One of the main spoils of war came from slavery, where 250,000 people were sold in 2 BC.
How was the people’s tribune elected?
the Plebeian assembly
What are Latifundia?
Latifundia were farms slaves lived on.
What happened as a consequence of the men who owned these Latifundia’s going to war?
Some legions would be sent oversees due to the expansion of the empire and men would return to unprofitable farms that they had to sell. Unfortunately, everyone had the same idea, which led to some repercussions.
Fewer troops and legions, and more landless poor.
Rome was filled with people from the countryside and simply couldn’t provide work for them. Therefore, a large group of people settled in Rome who were unemployed and could not enrol in legions.
Latifundia 2 BC: The poor and unemployed could not enrol in troops so…
…Senators sough a way to bind men of the legions to them for longer, eventually abolishing the land rule.
The empire expands.
Wealth and slaves flood Rome. Smallholders move to Rome to try and find work. Senators buy up vast properties. The unemployed mob cause increase corruption and military commanders become too influential as the army becomes dependant on the spoils of war.
Problems of loyalty to state during 2 BC?
People lost their farms fighting for Rome, which rids people of loyalty to state.
What position was held by Gaius Marius 115 BC?
Praetor Urbanus
Marius in Spain 114BC?
His imperium was prorogued a and he was sent to Spain where he fought a campaign against the local tribes and from this he gained immense wealth.
Gaius Marius wife?
Julian caeser’s aunt Julia
109-108 BC
Marius was sent as commander against King Jugurtha who had become an enemy of Rome and had been at war with them since 42 BC.
Marius spent 109 BC preparing for consulship of 108 BC
Marius has fought Jugurtha as a lieutenant and before he went back as consul he planned a radical reform.
What was Marius’s reform?
He scrapped the wealth/land count for the army meaning many men owed him their army careers.
What did Sulla do behind Marius’s back?
Captured King Jugurtha
