Ancient History Lecture Notes

Flashcards for Ancient History Lecture Notes

Plutarch

Biographies, particularly relevant for understanding individuals like Tiberius, Gaius Gracchus, Caesar, and Sulla.

Appian

Roman History, valuable for civil war narratives.

Cicero

Letters and speeches provide insight into Roman political life.

Rome's Location

Central Italy, on the Tiber River; access to sea trade (Mediterranean).

Expansion of Roman territories

From Latium to control over Italy by 3rd century BCE; eventual dominance over Western Mediterranean after Punic Wars.

Neighbouring societies

Etruscans, Greeks (in the south), Carthaginians, and Gauls.

Patricians

Upper class, people such as wealthy landowners would be in this group.

Plebeians

Lower class which would be normal people in Rome.

Senatorial class

The highest social class, comprising wealthy, landowning families who held significant political power and prestige

Slaves

Individuals who were legally considered property, owned by their masters, they had no rights and would get paid little to no money

Patron-client relationship

It involved a hierarchical system where a wealthy, influential individual (the patron) offered protection, support, and resources to a less powerful person or group (the client)

Tribunes

Elected by the plebeians to protect their rights. Held sacrosanctity and the powerful right to veto any act of a magistrate or the Senate that harmed plebeians.

Consul

The highest ordinary magistrates. Two elected annually, holding supreme civil and military authority (imperium). Commanded armies, presided over Senate and assemblies, had mutual veto power.

Dictator

Highest authority, absolute power but appointed only in dire emergencies (e.g., military crisis) for a maximum of six months or until the crisis was resolved.

Senate

The most influential and enduring political institution of ancient Rome, primarily during the Republic.

Praetors

An elected magistrate who held significant power and authority, primarily in judicial administration. They were responsible for presiding over courts and were instrumental in developing Roman law through their edicts (rules for how laws would be applied).

SPQR

Symbol of Roman state authority.

SCU

Emergency decree granting consul’s ultimate power.

Novus Homo

'New man'; first in family to reach Senate.

Cursus Honorum

Sequential order of public offices.

Lex Villia Annalis

Set minimum ages for holding magistracies.

Extraordinary Commands

Special powers outside normal magistracy.

Latifundia

Agriculture was dominated by latifundia where large estates worked by slaves.

Taxation

Provinces paid tribute; tax farming was rife with corruption

Composition of Armies

Composed of Roman citizens to make legions of around 5000 men.

Role of military and army

Army was essential in expanding Romes territory through warfare.

Gladius

Short sword for close combat

Scutum

Large rectangular shield

Plutarch’s view of Tiberius’ land reforms

Wanted to give more to the plebians because of the “dearth of inhabitance” across the land of Tuscany and the “bearth of military assistance”.

Tiberius Gracchus

Proposed lex agraria to make land available for distribution in allotments. Anyone holding more that ager publicus than the legal limit of 500 iugera (300 acres). Anyone that possessed more than this limit would have to give it up.

Opposition to Tiberius' lex agraria

When a rival tribune (Marcus Octavius) tried to veto the law, Tiberius had him removed by the Assembly – an unprecedented move.

Grain Law

Provided subsidized grain to roman citizens

Military reforms(Gaius Gracchus)

Reduced burden on soldiers by providing state funded equipment

Judicial reforms

Transferred judicial power from the senate to the equestrian order

Land reforms

Continued his brother’s redistribution of public land to the poor.

Colonial expansion

Established colonies outside Italy to alleviate population pressure

Economic reforms

Improved infrastructures and trade routes

Novus Honum

Means New Man

Equipment (Marius reforms)

State now provided uniform arms and armour, rather than soldiers bringing their own. Ensured consistent quality and reduced financial burden on poor recruits.

Cohort system

(10 cohorts of 6 centuries) replaced manipular legion structure. Made army more flexible and cohesive in battle.

Military Symbols

Marius introduced the eagle (aquila) as the official symbol of the Roman legion, making it a sacred emblem of military pride

Significance of the changes to recruitment in creating client armies

Veterans expected land grants upon discharge – Marius had to lobby the Senate (and later tribunes) for land distribution. Army evolved into a client-patron structure, with the general as patron.

107 BCE - Sulla

Served as qauestor under Gaius Marius in the Jugerthine War against King Jugurtha in Numidia

The Social War (91–88 BCE)

Begins between Rome and its Italian allies. Sulla distinguishes himself as a capable commander

Lex Manilia 66BC

Sulla awarded Pompey command of the war against Mithridates VI of Pontus.

Key Forces

Marius used his veterans to execute opponents during his final consulship.

Proscriptions (82 BCE)

Sulla posted public death lists; enemies could be killed with impunity.

Aim of Sulla relating to the senate

Individual people can’t get their way

Aim of Sulla relating to the tribunes

Restrict powers of tribunes after seeing what Gaius and Tiberius did

Aim of Sulla relating to Magistrates

Curb independence of regular magistrates

Aim of Sulla relating to proconsuls

Avoid dangers from proconsuls in the provinces (proconsuls are people that used to be a consul)

Magistrates (Sulla)

Redrafted lex villia annalis whereby cursus honorum was stricly enforced

Proconsuls in the provinces

Sulla regulated method of appointing provincial governers - senate still decide on the allocation

Commands in provinces to be annual extensions in crisis

Commands in provinces to be annual - extensions in crisis

Courts

Number of courts increased to 7 to cover all major crimes

Sulla’s Retirement and Death

After securing reforms, Sulla voluntarily stepped down from dictatorship.

Lex Gabinia 67BC

Gave Pompey extraordinary command to eliminate Mediterranean piracy.

Lex Manilia 66BC

Granted Pompey command in the East against Mithridates VI.

Career Enhancement(Pompey)

These commands gave Pompey unprecedented power and prestige without progressing through normal offices.