Topic 4 notes - The End of the Roman Republic

History 6

Brothers, plebeians, Tribunes

Brothers, plebeians, Tribunes

Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus

Tiberius

Angry - wealthy landowners took farmlands won through war; proposed Rome take back these lands and give them to the poor

Tiberius (continued)

Support from public, not wealthy. Conflict over Tiberius’ plan → riots throughout the city → Tiberius killed

Gaius

Also tried to promote laws, create new farms → also promoted selling food cheaply to Rome’s poor citizens

Rome

Thriving overseas, struggling at home

Powerful Romans angry again!!

Senate passed law that the Senate can declare someone enemy of the government, execute without a trial → Gaius killed himself → violent deaths changed Romes politics

Gaius Marius

A much loved Roman Consul, 107 BC - Roman army needed troops → changed policy; poor should be allowed to enlist → troops loyal to Marius

Lucius Cornelius Sulla

Became Roman Consul in 88 BC, conflict with Marius (jealousy) → civil war in Rome

Winner of the war

Sulla, named himself dictator → used his newfound power to punish (kill) his political enemies.

Spartacus

Slave, led a slave revolt; defeated an army sent to stop him → won, but died in a different battle, the revolt fell apart

What the Romans did about the revolt

Executed 6,000 rebellious slaves to serve as an example.