The struggle between the optimates and the populares
Tiberius Gracchi attempted land reform, and was clubbed to death outside the Senate House
in 133 B.C. This assassination was the first such violent overthrow in Rome since the
expelling of the kings and the establishment of the Republic. His brother Caius pressed
for reform on behalf of the people and was likewise hounded by the elite; he died
in 121 B.C., at the hand of his servant rather than fall into the hands of the Senators
as happened to Tiberius.
Marius (157-86 B.C.) was a great military genius who, for defeating two German peoples
who threatened Rome, was called the Third Founder of Rome after Romulus and Camillus who
saved Rome after it was sacked by the Gauls in 390 B.C. Marius was seven times
(a record) made Consul. He was allied with the populares.
The Social War (91-88 B.C.) was a struggle between Rome and her Italian allies (socii)
who demanded rights of Roman citizenship. Sylla (138-78 B.C.) overshadowed the older Marius
in this conflict. The rivalry between Marius and Sylla led to civil war.
In 87 B.C. Marius entered Rome armed, and blood flowed in the streets.
After Sylla finally destroyed Marius, he continued his struggle with the younger
Marius (son of the Marius mentioned above) and his followers. Sylla likewise entered
the city armed, and, again, Roman blood flowed in the street. In 81 B.C. Sylla was made
Dictator and murdered many of the leading citizens. For all his bloodshed, Sylla did step
down from being Dictator after he had restored order. His reforms generally were aimed
at a stronger, more functional, Senate and favor the optimates.
Julius Caesar (100-44 B.C.) came from a distinguished but no longer wealthy family.
He was nephew, by marriage, of the elder Marius. His first wife was also connected to
the cause of Marius and the populares. Caesar's second wife, Pompeia, was a
granddaughter of the Dictator Sylla. His first public office was Military Tribune in 72 B.C.
Caesar was implicated in , but managed to distance himself from the
Catiline Conspiracy of 63 B.C. which sought to overthrown the exisiting constitutional
settlement.
As a member of the First (unofficial) Triumvirate, 60-54 B.C., Caesar was, in effect, the
ruler of Rome along with Pompey, and Crassus. The alliance with Pompey ended in 54 B.C. when
Julia, the daughter of Caesar, died bearing Pompey's child. Crassus died in 53 B.C. in
the disastrous Parthian campaign. At the Battle of Pharsalia, 48 B.C., Caesar defeats Pompey.
On the Ides of March, 44 B.C. Caesar was assassinated by Brutus (85-42 B.C.)
and others, leaving his lieutenant Marc Antony (83-30 B.C.) in charge
but naming his adopted nephew Octavian as his heir.
The new settlement
Octavian (63 B.C.-A.D. 14) as member of the Second (official) Triumvirate
(43-33 B.C.) with Antony, and Lepidus defeated Brutus at Philippi, 42 B.C.
Octavian then defeated Anthony at Battle of Actium, 31 B.C. Octavian was granted
title Augustus, 27 B.C., by the Roman Senate.
Here Ends Trumbull's Summary of the final century of the Roman Republic.
|