The Fall of the Roman Republic:

Vocab to know:

Proscription = a hit list of sorts, you announce publicly that if some person were to die, you, having control over their money would share it with whomever killed that person. You cannot go to jail for this as you technically did not commit the crime of murder, but you do get the money of the dead person.

Populares + Optimes = two distinct political groups in Rome.

Triumverate = a political alliance of three men.

Lictor = personal bodyguard

Fasces = A long ax for hitting people from far away. Usually carried by a lictor

Alea iacta est = “the die has been cast” a quote from Caesar before he crossed the Rubicon and marched on Rome.

Marian Reforms = soldiers no longer have to own land to be in the army.

The Four Factors:

Characters:

Marcus Tullius Cicero:

• Ultimate lover of the republic

• lived 106 B.C.E. to 43 B.C.E.

• First in family to hold political office

• Statesman, Orator, Philosopher, Writer

• Well educated in Greek

Gnaeus Pompeus Magnus:

• lived 106 B.C.E to 48 B.C.E

• Famous for ridding the Mediterranean sea of pirates in 40 days (It did not actually happen)

• Son of infamous general, who was known for his brutality

Gaius Julius Ceasar:

• lived 100 B.C.E to 44 B.C.E

• He had epilepsy, but he claimed his epilepsy was a special communication that he shared with the gods.

• Patrician Family

• Father died at 16

• Uncle was Marius (of Marius and Sulla)

• Part of the first Triumverate

• Famous for expeditions in Gaul (subdued in 52 B.C.E.)

Crassus:

• “Richest man in Roman history” he had was would be equal to about a billion US dollars today.

• Made his money from proscriptions

• Also in first Triumverate

• Really only famous for money, and his victory against Sparticus.

Publius Claudius Pulcher:

• Had many many clients

• Famous for the Bona Dea scandal.

Bona Dea:

Publius Claudius Pulcher (Claudius) was in love with Caesar’s wife. One day, Claudius decided that he wanted to seduce Caesar’s wife, by going to the Bona Dea (good goddess) festival. The Bona Dea was attended by women only, and so Claudius dressed as a woman with the hope to later secretly reveal himself to Caesar’s wife, and seduce her. The men weren’t allowed to go to the Bona Dea, so Claudius had no idea what the ceremony would entail. The first thing the women did at the Bona Dea was take off their clothes. So Claudius, already at the ceremony dressed as a woman, had no choice but to reveal himself and come up with a reasonable public excuse for why he was there. The first thing that came to his mind was, “I’m looking for my sister.” Which was a horrible excuse, as everyone was naked. Cicero asks him if he is sleeping with his sister, because what else would he be doing naked with his sister. Claudius, rather than telling the truth, decides that Cicero’s version of what he was doing was a better story, and plays along, despite how disturbing the story is. Claudius decides Cicero is his mortal enemy for questioning him, and attempts to create retroactive laws to exile Cicero. Before the laws pass, Cicero leaves for the countryside.

Milo, Claudius, and the Appian Way:

Claudius’ main political opponent was this guy named Milo. So Claudius plans an ambush along the Appian way, to kill Milo. The attack goes very poorly, and Claudius is killed by Milo’s slave, sparking a huge debate about whether or not Milo was responsible for Claudius’ death. Cicero comes back from the countryside to defend Milo, and makes MANY enemies. When Milo does not receive punishment, many of Claudius’ clients begin to wreak havoc on Rome, setting things on fire. The senate realized they needed to take control of the republic, and asked Caesar, for a second time (the first time he refused) to come home, and give up his army. Caesar’s army loves him, so when Caesar says, “I’ll come home! But I’m keeping the army.” The army follows him. Caesar explicitly disobeys Rome, and crosses the Rubicon, officially marching on Rome.

Civil War:

Caesar marches on Rome on January 10th 49 B.C.E. Pompey and his supporters flee to Greece, to avoid Caesar for a while and try to build up an army of their own to combat Caesar. This is difficult as Pompey is only popular with the upper class, none of whom are used to the life of a warrior. Meanwhile, Caesar builds his own fleet, and manages to subdue Pompey’s supporters in Spain. Caesar then sets sail for Greece, with a surprisingly much smaller army than Pompey, however his soldiers are far more loyal. So, Pompey flees to Egypt after the Battle of Pharsalus. Pompey seeks refuge in Egypt but upon arrival is killed by Ptolemy XIII (King of Egypt) because the king does not want him to bring his war to Egypt, and hopes to please Caesar. Caesar gets all the way to Egypt and is pissed off, because he wanted Pompey alive and in his debt. Caesar then goes to Asia Minor and kills the son of Mithridates, and promptly thereafter to Spain, to kill off the rest of Pompey’s followers.

44 B.C.E:

Caesar is the head of the Roman state with the title of “dictator perpetuus” or dictator for life, in English. He gave Roman citizenship to the Gauls, and expanded the forum. He also built the Basilica Julia. The fear of living under a king was growing in Rome.

On March 15, Caesar is killed, stabbed 42 times by his senators and closest friends.

This marks the end of the Republic.