caesar

gaius iulius caesar

100-44 BC

family lineage - patrician

Throughout the decade, there had been numerous problems caused by the pirates.
Pirates plagued the Romans and even captured and kidnapped Roman citizens.
One episode happened in 75 BC when a young Roman aristocrat, Caesar was captured
When pirates demanded 20 talents for his ransom, “he laughed at them for not knowing who their captive was and of his own accord agreed to give them 50…*
The year 74 saw continued problems with the pirates…
In 73, pirates attacked the coast of Sicily; provincial governor Verres took measures but with only a temporary relief
Time would come when the people would demand that the senate take more definitive action

In 74 BC Mithridates VI, king of Pontus who had entered into an agreement with Sertorius, started to intrude on nearby territory thus clashed with Roman interests in the region

Later that year, the senate appointed the consul Lucullus* to the eastern command
Mithridates continued his attacks, but under the command of Lucullus, theRomans were able to capture towns within Pontus itself…
War continued…Lucullus was able to capture various strong-holds and fortresses. As the decade ended, Mithridates was still on the run, many of Lucullus’ soldiers were starting to be angry about the constant marching, and there appeared no resolution insight.
Mithridates and the east would continue to occupy Roman foreign policy for another decade

In 73 BC, a young Sullan supporter – Catiline– was brought to trial for adultery with a vestal Virgin, but after one patrician testified in his favour he was acquitted*
Catiline was later elected praetor in 68 and sent to Africa, but he would loom large in the next decade (yet to be heard about him)
Meanwhile, Caesar, following his capture by pirates in 75, came back to Rome, and was elected military tribune in 71. In 70 he was elected quaestor for 69