HIST010 Exam 2: Roman Republic - Imperial Rome

What event led to the breakup of the First Triumvirate?

The death of Crassus in 53 BCE and the death of Caesar's daughter Julia in 54 BCE, both of which destabilized the alliance and fueled rivalry between Caesar and Pompey.

What were the key members of the First Triumvirate and their roles?

The First Triumvirate was an alliance between Pompey the Great (general), Crassus (wealthy politician), and Julius Caesar (up-and-coming politician).

What significant reform did Tiberius Gracchus propose to solve Rome's soldier shortage and land inequality?

Tiberius Gracchus proposed distributing state-owned land to the poor so they could farm it, support their families, and join the military.

What was the outcome of Tiberius Gracchus' land reform law?

Despite the Senate rejecting the proposal, Tiberius bypassed them and took it directly to the assembly, where it was approved, angering the Senate.

How did the Senate respond to Tiberius Gracchus’ political rise and reforms?

The Senate, fearing the loss of their power, assassinated Tiberius Gracchus in 133 BCE, marking the beginning of political violence in Rome.

What was the political climate like in Rome during the late Republic?

Rome was experiencing intense social, economic, and political unrest, with increased inequality, corruption, and military reforms that contributed to the breakdown of the Republic.

How did the military reforms of Marius contribute to the decline of the Roman Republic?

Marius’ reforms, such as recruiting landless citizens into the army and offering them land as retirement, shifted soldiers’ loyalties from the state to individual generals, weakening the Republic’s authority.

What role did Sulla play in the collapse of the Roman Republic?

Sulla’s march on Rome and subsequent dictatorship in the 80s BCE set a dangerous precedent for military interference in politics, leading to further instability in the Republic.

What were the causes and effects of the Social War (91–88 BCE)?

The Social War was caused by Italian allies demanding Roman citizenship. It resulted in the extension of citizenship to all Italians but also increased political instability.

What were the main causes of political instability in the late Roman Republic?

Corruption, economic inequality, military reforms, and the concentration of power in the hands of a few individuals contributed to the breakdown of the Roman Republic.

What event led to the collapse of the Roman Republic?

The collapse of the Roman Republic was the result of a combination of political corruption, military reforms, economic inequality, and power struggles between prominent generals and politicians.

What was the significance of the assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 BCE?

Caesar's assassination by a group of senators, including Brutus and Cassius, led to a power vacuum and a series of civil wars, ultimately ending the Roman Republic.

What was the role of Octavian (Augustus) in the transition from Republic to Empire?

Octavian (later Augustus) emerged victorious after Caesar’s death, defeating rivals like Mark Antony and Cleopatra, and became the first Roman emperor, marking the end of the Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire.

How did the rise of military generals contribute to the fall of the Roman Republic?

Military generals like Julius Caesar, Pompey, and Sulla built personal armies loyal to them rather than to the Roman state, destabilizing the Republic’s political structure.

What was the significance of the Roman Senate in the late Republic?

The Senate, which was originally meant to represent the interests of the Roman aristocracy, became increasingly corrupt and self-serving, often blocking reforms that could have stabilized the Republic.

How did the Gracchi brothers attempt to reform Rome?

Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus, in the 2nd century BCE, attempted to implement land reforms and address economic inequality but were ultimately opposed and killed by the Senate.

What role did political patronage play in the Roman Republic?

Political patronage, where elites supported their followers in exchange for votes or military support, led to an entrenched aristocracy and corruption, undermining the democratic institutions of the Republic.

What was the result of the civil war between Caesar and Pompey?

Caesar's victory in the civil war against Pompey in 48 BCE led to his rise to power as dictator, ultimately ending the First Triumvirate and leading to the downfall of the Republic.

What was the significance of Julius Caesar’s crossing of the Rubicon in 49 BCE?

Caesar’s decision to cross the Rubicon River with his army was a direct challenge to the Senate’s authority and marked the beginning of civil war in Rome.

How did the rise of Rome's equestrian class contribute to political instability?

The equestrian class, or knights, became increasingly powerful in Rome’s economy and politics, leading to conflicts with the traditional aristocracy and undermining the power of the Senate.

What was the role of client armies in the fall of the Roman Republic?

Client armies, where generals offered land and rewards to soldiers, created loyalty to individual generals rather than to the Republic, leading to military-based power struggles.

What was the importance of Pompey’s military career?

Pompey’s military successes, including his conquests in the East, helped him gain immense popularity and power, making him a key figure in the First Triumvirate.

What was the main issue in the Roman Senate that led to the rise of political violence?

Disagreements over reforms and increasing competition for power among elites led to political violence, including assassinations, mob violence, and the use of force to settle political disputes.

How did the Roman Republic’s system of checks and balances fail?

The system of checks and balances in the Roman Republic failed as powerful individuals, like Julius Caesar and Pompey, bypassed or manipulated political institutions for personal gain, leading to the erosion of republican ideals.

What was the role of Cicero in the late Roman Republic?

Cicero was a prominent orator and politician who opposed the rise of dictators like Caesar and Pompey, defending the Roman Republic’s ideals, but his efforts ultimately failed.

What was the nature of the conflict between Caesar and the Senate?

Caesar’s growing power and his defiance of Senate authority, especially after crossing the Rubicon, created a bitter rivalry that culminated in civil war and his eventual assassination.

What did the rise of populist leaders like Julius Caesar signify for Rome?

The rise of populist leaders like Caesar signified the decline of traditional Roman republican values and the shift towards a more centralized, autocratic system of government.

How did the military reforms of Marius alter Roman society?

Marius’ reforms, including the recruitment of landless citizens into the army, led to the creation of professional soldiers who owed their loyalty to generals rather than the Roman state.

What was the effect of the Marian Reforms on Roman politics?

The Marian Reforms contributed to political instability by creating an army loyal to individual commanders, enabling generals like Sulla and Caesar to use their military power to influence politics.

What caused the political rivalry between Caesar and Pompey?

The rivalry between Caesar and Pompey was caused by personal ambition, mutual distrust, and the political instability after the death of Crassus, leading to their confrontation in the civil war.

What was the purpose of the triumviral system in Roman politics?

The triumviral system, established after the collapse of the Republic, was designed to concentrate power in the hands of three men (Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus) to stabilize Rome but ultimately accelerated the Republic’s downfall.

How did the Roman Republic deal with political corruption?

The Roman Republic struggled with political corruption, as powerful elites often used bribery, patronage, and manipulation of public offices to maintain control, undermining the republic's democratic ideals.

How did the assassination of Julius Caesar impact the Roman state?

Caesar’s assassination triggered a series of civil wars, eventually leading to the rise of Augustus and the establishment of the Roman Empire, ending the era of the Republic.

What was the significance of the "First Triumvirate" in Roman politics?

The First Triumvirate was an informal political alliance between Pompey, Crassus, and Caesar that enabled them to bypass the Senate and dominate Roman politics, destabilizing the traditional republican system.

How did the defeat of Mark Antony and Cleopatra affect Rome?

The defeat of Mark Antony and Cleopatra by Octavian in 31 BCE solidified Octavian’s control over Rome, leading to the end of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire under his reign as Augustus.

How did the conflict between Optimates and Populares affect Roman politics?

The conflict between the Optimates (aristocratic senators) and the Populares (leaders who appealed to the common people) further polarized Roman politics, contributing to the Republic's eventual collapse.

What were the causes of the Punic Wars?

The Punic Wars were primarily caused by economic and territorial competition between Rome and Carthage, particularly for control of the western Mediterranean.

What was the significance of the Battle of Cannae in Roman history?

The Battle of Cannae in 216 BCE was a devastating defeat for Rome during the Second Punic War, where Hannibal's forces inflicted massive casualties, but it ultimately spurred Roman resilience and led to Carthage's defeat.

What role did Julius Caesar’s popularity play in his rise to power?

Julius Caesar’s popularity with the Roman populace, gained through military success, reformist policies, and populist rhetoric, helped him bypass the Senate and eventually seize control of Rome.