From Pompey to Caesar

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The End of the Roman RepublicFrom Tiberius to
Caesar133 BCE 44 BCE
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TIBERIUS GRACCHUS (c.168 -133 BCE) GAIUS
GRACCHUS (c.159 -121 BCE)
What was the land reform Tiberius advocated? Why
did he want it?
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Tiberius Gracchus, Tribune in133 BCE
gtEnforce an old law limiting latifundia-estates
to 500 acres ... gtSell/rent public lands to the
poor gt Distribute lands of deceased king of
Pergamum to the poor/ soldiers gt wealthy
landowners provoked a riot claiming Tiberius
intended to make himself king! gt Tiberius was
clubbed to death -1st time ever that
a tribune was attacked and killed.
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Gaius Gracchus, tribune in 123 BCE

• Resurrected brothers land reform plans
• Give colonial lands to retired soldiers
• Establish price controls- cheap grain subsidized
  by the government
• Initiate public works projects
• Extend citizenship

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The beginning of the end

• After the Gracchus Brothers, the next 100 years
  was dominated by a series of rival generals,
  representing the two political parties, who
  engulfed Rome in civil wars, using their troops
  as personal possessions to further their own
  political ambitions, undermining the
  constitution, and leading to the collapse of the
  Republic.

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The first civil war Populares vs
Optimates Gaius Marius
Lucius Sulla
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Gaius Marius 157-86 BCE (the Populares)
gtDefeated a Germanic force of 300,000 (The
Cimbri, and Teutones) gtEnlisted landless poor
into his army, supplied them and rewarded them
with his own money- loyalty of soldiers was to
him. gtThe army, no longer an instrument of the
government, became a private possession of
generals
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Sulla the conservative 138-78 BCE, (the Optimates)

• Marched his army through the gates of Rome and
  declared himself dictator.
• Increased Senate to 600
• Restored Senate veto over plebeian assembly
• Forbid tribunes from offering legislation not
  approved by the Senate
• Denied Tribunes any other office
• Set minimum age to hold office at 42

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2nd Civil War 49-46 BCE
Caesar (the Populares) vs
Pompey (the Optimates)
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Gnaeus Pompeii106-48 BCE

• Gained recognition in Spain, 77 BC then during
  the slave revolt of Spartacus (73-71 BC).
• He joined with Marcus Crassus, the richest man in
  Rome, -they marched to the gates of Rome and
  demanded consulships (Pompey was 36!)
• As Consuls, they canceled Sullas reforms and
  retired.

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Pompey returns...

• In 67 BCE, the Senate asked Pompey to deal with
  Pirates in the Med Sea and renewed fighting with
  King Mithradates
• Returning in 62 BCE, Pompey asked for land grants
  to his soldiers, which was rejected by the
  Senate.
• Such shortsightedness drove Pompey into an
  alliance with Julius Caesar.

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Julius Caesar, 100-44 BCE

• His uncle was Gaius Marius
• Dad died when 15
• At 17- married Cornelius Cinnas daughter
• At 18- Sulla proscribed his death!
• 20- Roman soldier in Bythnia
• 21- lawyer in Rome
• 22- Set out to Rhodes
• Career held various administrative posts
• At 38 appointed governor of Spain

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• Governor of Spain, returned to Rome in 60 BC-
  intending to run for consul-Senate said no!
• Teamed up with Pompey and Crassus to form the 1st
  Triumverate and became a consul in 60 BCE
• After his term as consul, he took governorship
  over two northern territories (Gaul) and
  initiated the Gallic Wars
• Legacy brought western Europe into the
  mainstream of civilization

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Caesars Gallic Wars, 58 52 BCE

• Caesars victories over the Gauls (Celts) were
  incredible sending back to Rome untold wealth
  from plunder and almost one million slaves with
  another million counted as dead. (s are
  debatable!)

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Crossing the Rubicon

• Fearing his rising power and popularity, the
  Senate recalled Caesar without his army!
• When Caesar crossed the Rubicon river in 49 BCE,
  he started a civil war.
• Pompey was convinced by Senate leaders to come
  out of retirement and defend the Senate

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2nd Civil War 49-46 BCE
Caesar (the Populares) vs
Pompey (the Optimates)
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• Caesar defeated Pompey- Battle of Pharsalus (48
  BCE) then followed him to Egypt where Pompey
  hoped for allies.

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• After Pharsalus, Pompey escaped to Egypt with
  Caesar chasing him only to be assassinated.

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Caesar Cleopatra
Egypt was already involved in its own civil
war between Cleopatra and her younger
brother. Caesar restored Cleopatra to power,
gave her a son (Caesarion), then returned with
her to Rome in 46 BCE
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Caesar dictator for life

• Pardoned Senators but raised members to 900
• Gave public land to his soldiers and the poor
• Granted citizenship to provinces
• Raised pay of soldiers
• Reorganized town governments and the courts
• Lowered taxes on provinces
• Started building projects

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Caesars assassination... March 15, 44 BCE

• 23 stab wounds led by Brutus and Cassius, two
  long-time friends.
• Marc Antony joined with Octavian and Lepidus to
  create the 2nd Triumverate and defeat the
  conspirators.
• Problem Both Antony and Octavian wanted to be
  number 1

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Any questions?