Key Events in Roman Military History and Politics

Hispania Citerior

Roman province in northeast Spain, established after the Second Punic War.

Hispania Ulterior

Roman province in southern Spain, established after the Second Punic War.

Viriathus

Lusitanian leader who led guerrilla warfare against Rome's occupation of Spain and was eventually assassinated by betrayal.

Servilius Caepio

Roman general during the Spanish campaigns, known for his defeat of Viriathus and the controversial loss of gold at Tolosa.

Siege of Numantia

A major Roman victory (134-133 B.C.) where Scipio Aemilianus besieged and destroyed the Celtiberian city of Numantia, ending the resistance in Spain.

Scipio Aemilianus

Roman general who captured and destroyed Carthage in the Third Punic War and led the successful siege of Numantia.

Seleucid War

Conflict between Rome and the Seleucid Empire from 192-188 B.C.

Antiochus III

Seleucid king who fought against Rome and lost significant territory after being defeated in several battles, including Magnesia.

Battle of Thermopylae

Roman forces under M. Acilius Glabrio defeated Antiochus III's army (191 B.C.), effectively ending Seleucid ambitions in Greece.

M'. Acilius Glabrio

Roman general who led the victory at Thermopylae against Antiochus III during the Seleucid War.

Battle of Magnesia

A decisive Roman victory (190 B.C.) that ended Antiochus III's expansion and resulted in the Treaty of Apamea.

Gn. Domitius Ahenobarbus

Roman commander involved in the conflict with Antiochus III and later served in various military campaigns.

L. Cornelius Scipio Asiaticus

Roman general who played a key role in the victory at Magnesia, securing the peace treaty with Antiochus III.

Eumenes II of Pergamum

King of Pergamum and ally of Rome during the Seleucid War, contributing to Antiochus III's defeat.

Treaty of Apamea

The peace settlement (188 B.C.) that ended the war with Antiochus III, forcing the Seleucids to give up territories and pay a large indemnity.

Perseus

Last king of Macedon, defeated by Rome in the Third Macedonian War and captured after the Battle of Pydna.

Demetrius

Brother of Perseus involved in the political and military struggles against Rome during the Macedonian Wars.

Third Macedonian War

Conflict from 171-168 B.C. that led to the defeat of Macedon by Rome.

Battle of Pydna

A decisive Roman victory (168 B.C.) over Macedon, marking the end of Macedonian independence.

L. Aemilius Paullus

Roman general who led the army to victory at Pydna, resulting in the defeat of Perseus.

Fourth Macedonian War

Conflict from 150-148 B.C. involving the final defeat of Macedonian resistance.

(Second) Battle of Pydna

The final defeat of Macedonian resistance (148 B.C.) with Andriscus claiming to be the son of Perseus.

Q. Caecilius Metellus Macedonicus

Roman general who played a crucial role in suppressing the Macedonian revolt and securing the region for Rome.

Andriscus

A pretender to the Macedonian throne who led a failed revolt against Rome, claiming to be the son of Perseus.

Macedonia

Once an independent kingdom, it was annexed by Rome after the Second Battle of Pydna and became a Roman province.

Battle/Sack of Corinth

The final destruction of Corinth by Roman forces (146 B.C.), marking the end of Greek independence.

Lucius Mummius

Roman general who led the destruction of Corinth and oversaw its annexation into the Roman province of Achaea.

Achaea (Greece)

Region in Greece made into a Roman province following the destruction of Corinth, marking the fall of Greek political power.

Pergamum

The kingdom of Pergamum, in Asia Minor, was inherited by Rome after the death of King Attalus III in 133 B.C.

Attalus III

Last king of Pergamum, who willed his kingdom to Rome, significantly expanding Roman territory.

Antiochus IV

Seleucid king who fought against Rome's expansion in the Hellenistic East and was defeated.

First Servile War (135-132 B.C.)

Slave revolt in Sicily against Roman oppression, led by Eunus and Cleon, which was crushed after several years of resistance.

Eunus and Cleon

Leaders of the slave revolt in Sicily against Roman oppression.

The Gracchi

Political reformers in ancient Rome, including Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus.

Sempronia

Sister of Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus, involved in their political movements and reforms.

Ti. Sempronius Gracchus (the Elder)

Father of the Gracchi brothers, a significant political figure in Roman history who fought for reform.

Marcus Octavius

Tribune who opposed Tiberius Gracchus' agrarian reforms and was a significant figure in the political struggle of the Gracchi era.

Scipio Nasica

Senator who led the opposition to Tiberius Gracchus and played a key role in his assassination.

M. Fulvius Flaccus

Ally of Gaius Gracchus, worked to implement his policies, including land redistribution.

P. Licinius Crassus

Supported the Gracchi brothers' reforms and later became a key figure in the First Triumvirate.

Junonia

Proposed colony to be founded by Gaius Gracchus to redistribute land to the urban poor.

Lex Rubria

Law proposed by Gaius Gracchus that aimed to establish the colony of Junonia.

M. Livius Drusus (The Elder)

Political figure who opposed the Gracchi's reforms and played a significant role in shaping Roman politics.

Lucius Opimius

Consul responsible for suppressing the reforms of Gaius Gracchus and leading the crackdown on his supporters.

War with Jugurtha (112 - 105 B.C.)

Conflict involving Jugurtha of Numidia and Rome.

Micipsa

King of Numidia, whose death led to a succession crisis, ultimately leading to the Jugurthine War.

Hiempsal

Son of Micipsa, killed by Jugurtha, sparking the conflict.

Adherbal

Micipsa's other son, co-ruler with Hiempsal, and a victim of Jugurtha's betrayal.

Cirta

Capital of Numidia, where Jugurtha massacred the Roman ambassadors, escalating the war.

Gaius Memmius

Tribune who exposed the corruption of Roman officials during the war with Jugurtha.

Urbs venalis - city for sale

Phrase referring to the widespread bribery and corruption among Roman officials, especially during the Jugurthine War.

L. Calpurnius Bestia

Roman consul who was defeated by Jugurtha early in the war.

Bocchus I

King of Mauretania who allied with Rome and helped bring about Jugurtha's capture.

The Social War (91-88 B.C.)

Rebellion of Rome's Italian allies who sought Roman citizenship and greater rights.

Italian War or Marsic War

Rebellion of Rome's Italian allies who sought Roman citizenship and greater rights, culminating in the Social War.

Marcus Livius Drusus the Younger

Tribune who proposed reforms granting citizenship to Italians, leading to his assassination.

Pompeius Strabo

Roman general who fought in the Social War, known for his military successes.

Lucius Julius Caesar

Roman general and politician who supported the Italian cause during the Social War.

Samnites

A tribe that fought on the side of the Italian rebels in the Social War.

Marsi

Another key tribe in the Social War, also fighting for citizenship and equality with Romans.

Asculum

Key battle in the Social War where the Romans defeated the Italian forces.

Lex Iulia (90 B.C.)

Law that granted Roman citizenship to the Italian allies who had remained loyal during the Social War.

Lex Plautia Papiria (89 B.C.)

Law that extended citizenship to all Italians who had participated in the Social War.

Marcus Licinius Crassus (the triumvir)

Wealthy Roman general and member of the First Triumvirate, who played a significant role in the political struggles of the late Republic.

Pompeius Magnus (Pompey)

Roman general, politician, and key member of the First Triumvirate, known for his military campaigns and conflict with Caesar.

Battle of Arausio (105 B.C.)

A catastrophic defeat for Rome, where the Cimbri and Teutones destroyed two Roman legions, leading to a military reform.

Q. Servilius Caepio

Roman general defeated at the Battle of Arausio, blamed for the loss of the Roman legions.

Gn. Mallius Maximus

Roman commander who, alongside Caepio, was defeated by the Cimbri and Teutones at Arausio.

Tolosa

City where a Roman defeat occurred, involving the loss of significant amounts of gold to the Cimbri.

Battle of Aquae Sextiae (102 B.C.)

Roman victory against the Cimbri, led by Gaius Marius, which ended the Cimbri's threat to Rome.

Battle of Vercellae (101 B.C.)

The final battle of the Cimbri and Teutones, where the Roman forces, again led by Marius, decisively defeated the invaders.

Lutatius Catulus

Roman general who played a key role in the defeat of the Cimbri in 101 B.C.

L. Appuleius Saturninus

Tribune and ally of Marius, known for his populist reforms and eventual conflict with Marius' opponents.

Gaius Memmius

Roman politician, associated with Saturninus, who was involved in the political turmoil during the war with the Cimbri and Teutones.

Servilius Glaucia

Tribune and ally of Saturninus, his support for radical measures led to a conflict with Rome's elites.

Battle of Zela (67 B.C.)

Decisive battle where Pompey defeated Mithridates VI of Pontus, famously marking the battle with the words 'Veni, Vidi, Vici' ('I came, I saw, I conquered').

Caesar's aunt, Julia, was the wife of Marius, making Marius his uncle

Ties between Julius Caesar and the populist Gaius Marius helped shape Caesar's early political career.

Titus Labienus

Key lieutenant of Julius Caesar during the Gallic Wars, who later defected to Pompey's side.

Pompey and Crassus held consulships in 55 B.C.

Pompey and Crassus, along with Caesar, formed the First Triumvirate, consolidating power in Roman politics.

Battle of Carrhae (53 B.C.)

A crushing defeat for Rome by Parthian forces, where Crassus was killed.

Battle of Pharsalus (48 B.C.)

Key battle where Caesar defeated Pompey, securing his control of Rome.

Pompey's assassination

After his defeat at Pharsalus, Pompey fled to Egypt and was assassinated upon arrival.

Caesarion

Son of Julius Caesar and Cleopatra, he was proclaimed king of kings but was killed by Octavian after Caesar's death.

Aulus Hirtius

Roman officer who fought with the Second Triumvirate in the final stages of the Roman Republic.

Vibius Pansa

Roman consul who fought alongside Hirtius and the Triumvirs in battles against the forces of Brutus and Cassius.

Mutina (Cisalpine Gaul)

Battle where Hirtius and Pansa's forces defeated the conspirators of the Ides of March.

Octavia (sister of Octavius)

Sister of Octavian, married to Marc Antony as part of political alliances.

Lex Titia

Law that formally established the Second Triumvirate, granting powers to its members.

Cicero

Roman orator and politician who opposed the rise of the Triumvirs and was executed under their orders.

Formiae

Location where Cicero was killed under the orders of Marc Antony.

Battles of Philippi (42 B.C.)

Final defeat of the forces of Brutus and Cassius, leading to the dominance of the Second Triumvirate.

Sextus Pompey

Son of Pompey the Great, he rebelled against the Second Triumvirate but was defeated in the Sicilian campaigns.

Alexander Helios

Son of Cleopatra and Mark Antony, considered heir to the Ptolemaic throne.

Cleopatra Selene

Daughter of Cleopatra and Antony, queen of Mauretania after her parents' defeat.

Ptolemy Philadelphus

Son of Cleopatra, involved in the political struggles surrounding Egypt's fate after Antony's fall.

Augustus

First Roman emperor, establishing the imperial system after the fall of the Republic.

Scribonia

First wife of Augustus, mother of Julia the Elder.

Livia Drusilla

Augustus' second wife and mother of Tiberius, deeply influential in Roman politics.

Marcus Agrippa

Augustus' close ally and general, responsible for many military successes.

Lucius + Gaius Caesar

Grandsons of Augustus, who were groomed to succeed him but died young.