I have spent a lot of time studying the transition of Rome from Republic to Empire over the last few years. Recently I have read Rubicon: The Last Years of the Roman Republic by Tom Holland and The Death of Caesar by Barry Strauss. Both books have strengthened my belief that the political, economic and social conditions were right for a change that were bread over the previous 100 years.
Let's start with the Political element.
In the 100 years before Caesar's assassination, the Republic was expanding. Rome was constantly at war. The political situation is tricky and volatile.
What I call the Great Generals were on the scene (or on the march): Marius and Cinna. Both men were great leaders and led Rome to great victories and expanded boarders. Victory meant more money pouring into the treasury of Rome. Great prosperity, more slaves etc... There were even internal struggles that Rome must deal with: Social Wars (citizens in city states wanting the right to vote) and Servile Wars (Slave Wars, remember Spartacus?).
Early on there is in-fighting between Generals: Marius and Cinna. Both Marius and Cinna had large armies. In the end, Marius, who was consul seven (7) times beat Cinna, only consul three (3) times. Cinna's troops turned on him as he was preparing to meet Marius for battle for command of the Mithradic war/s.
Marius was a Populare, for the people. There was much dissent between himself and the Optimates or the Patrician class. Whereas, his enemy, Sulla, was an Optimate, or of Patrician class. (I think think Sulla was a 'new man,' growing up poor; but moved up as a very successful general.) Sulla served under Marius in the Jugarthine and Gallic Wars. He was appointed Governor of Cilia and held other official positions which made him a Patrician. There was a power struggle between the Populares and the Optimates. (Caesar was a Populare too. His aunt Julia was married to Marius.)
This leads me right into the Social element.
Many of these men were 'New Men,' or men that just made their fortunes. Not from the old Roman families. They had wealth, military victories and power. Yes, Power! Their troops were loyal too them and they got much bounty when they won their wars against foreign lands.
Let's start with the Political element.
In the 100 years before Caesar's assassination, the Republic was expanding. Rome was constantly at war. The political situation is tricky and volatile.
- Macedonian Wars (4) - ending around 150 BC
- Battle of Cornith - 146 BC
- Punic Wars (Carthage) - ending about 149 BC
- Jugurthan War - ending around 112 BC
- Social Wars (between Italian tribal groups) 91 - 88 BC
- Sulla's First Civil War - Sulla marches troops into Rome for the first time - 88 BC
- Sulla's Second Civil War + Dictator - 82 BC
- Servile Wars (3) - Slave Wars - ending around 73 BC
- Mithridic Wars (3) - ending around - 63 BC
- Siege of Jerusalem (Pompey) - 63 BC
- First Triumvariate (Caesar, Pompey, Crassus) - 59 BC
- Caesar Crosses the Rubicon - 49 BC - Troops entering Italian soil for a second time
What I call the Great Generals were on the scene (or on the march): Marius and Cinna. Both men were great leaders and led Rome to great victories and expanded boarders. Victory meant more money pouring into the treasury of Rome. Great prosperity, more slaves etc... There were even internal struggles that Rome must deal with: Social Wars (citizens in city states wanting the right to vote) and Servile Wars (Slave Wars, remember Spartacus?).
Early on there is in-fighting between Generals: Marius and Cinna. Both Marius and Cinna had large armies. In the end, Marius, who was consul seven (7) times beat Cinna, only consul three (3) times. Cinna's troops turned on him as he was preparing to meet Marius for battle for command of the Mithradic war/s.
Marius was a Populare, for the people. There was much dissent between himself and the Optimates or the Patrician class. Whereas, his enemy, Sulla, was an Optimate, or of Patrician class. (I think think Sulla was a 'new man,' growing up poor; but moved up as a very successful general.) Sulla served under Marius in the Jugarthine and Gallic Wars. He was appointed Governor of Cilia and held other official positions which made him a Patrician. There was a power struggle between the Populares and the Optimates. (Caesar was a Populare too. His aunt Julia was married to Marius.)
This leads me right into the Social element.
Many of these men were 'New Men,' or men that just made their fortunes. Not from the old Roman families. They had wealth, military victories and power. Yes, Power! Their troops were loyal too them and they got much bounty when they won their wars against foreign lands.
1 comment:
Nice summary of the wars, uprisings and other factors contributing to the dramatic political changes that followed.
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