Roman Republic Exam Prep
Essay Structure
Main Causes of the Fall of the Roman Republic
Corruption and decline of political morality
Decline of Roman farmers
Unemployment and bread and circuses
Gracchi brothers and political violence
Marius reforms the army
Sulla marches on Rome
First Triumvirate
Caesar crosses the Rubicon
Caesar becomes dictator and is assassinated
Second Triumvirate
Octavian defeats Antony and becomes Augustus
Why the Punic Wars contributed to the fall of the Republic
Roman expansion after the Punic Wars brought wealth, slaves, and new territories. These changes increased inequality, weakened small farmers, and created political corruption that destabilized the Republic.
Decline of Political Morality
Decline of Political Morality
Roman leaders increasingly used wars and political offices for personal wealth and power rather than the good of the Republic.
Corruption in the Roman Senate
Many senators gained wealth by controlling Roman provinces, accepting bribes, and exploiting conquered territories.
Equite Class
A wealthy class of former cavalry soldiers and businessmen who became rich through war profits, trade, and tax collection in the provinces.
Impact of Roman Expansion on Wealth
Conquests brought enormous wealth into Rome, creating a small elite class while many citizens became poorer.
Decline of Roman Farmers
Importance of Roman Farmers
Roman soldiers were traditionally middle class farmers who served in the army and returned home to farm their land.
How wars hurt Roman farmers
Long wars kept soldiers away from their farms, causing many to lose their land or return to destroyed property.
Impact of Hannibal on Roman Agriculture
During the Second Punic War, Hannibal destroyed large areas of Roman farmland, weakening the agricultural economy.
Rise of Latifundia
Large farming estates owned by wealthy elites and worked by slave labor, which replaced small family farms.
Why Latifundia hurt small farmers
Slave labor made production cheaper, forcing many small farmers out of business.
Slavery and Unemployment
Growth of Slavery in Rome
Many slaves were captured during wars such as the Punic Wars, greatly increasing the slave population.
Effect of Slavery on Roman Labor
Slaves replaced free workers and farmers, leading to high unemployment among Roman citizens.
Migration to Rome
Displaced farmers moved to Rome searching for work, causing overcrowding and poverty.
Bread and Circuses
Bread and Circuses
A policy where the government provided free grain and entertainment to distract citizens from political and economic problems.
The Dole
A system where the Roman government distributed free grain to poor citizens, creating dependence on government aid.
Political Purpose of Bread and Circuses
To keep the population calm and prevent revolts despite worsening conditions.
Political Factions
Optimates
Conservative political faction that supported the Senate and the patrician elite.
Populares
Political leaders who supported reforms for the poor and often appealed directly to the people.
Why the Optimates vs Populares conflict mattered
Their rivalry increased political instability and conflict within the Roman government.
The Gracchi Brothers
Who were the Gracchi Brothers
Tiberius and Gaius Gracchi, tribunes who attempted reforms to help poor Roman citizens.
Goal of the Gracchi reforms
To limit land ownership and redistribute land to poor citizens in order to restore small farms.
Tiberius Gracchi
Tribune elected in 133 BC who proposed land reforms and attempted to run for reelection.
Why Tiberius Gracchi was killed
His reforms angered the Senate and elites, leading to a mob attack that killed him and about 300 supporters.
Importance of Tiberius Gracchi’s death
Marked the first major use of political violence in the Roman Republic.
Gaius Gracchi
Tribune who continued his brother’s reforms and attempted to extend Roman citizenship to Italian allies.
Why Gaius Gracchi failed
His reforms angered many Romans and the Senate eventually moved against him.
Death of Gaius Gracchi
He committed suicide while thousands of his supporters were executed.
Long term result of Gracchi reforms
Permanent distribution of free grain through the dole.
Marius and Military Reform
Gaius Marius
A Roman general who transformed the Roman army.
Marius’ Military Reforms
Removed the property requirement for soldiers and recruited landless citizens.
Professional Army
Marius’ reforms created a full time army instead of temporary citizen soldiers.
Why Marius’ reforms weakened the Republic
Soldiers became loyal to their generals instead of the Roman state.
Sulla
Lucius Cornelius Sulla
A Roman general who seized power during political conflict.
Sulla marching on Rome
Sulla became the first Roman general to march his army into Rome to gain political power.
Sulla as Dictator
He ruled as dictator longer than Roman law allowed and used violence against political enemies.
Impact of Sulla on the Republic
He weakened the traditions and institutions of the Roman government.
First Triumvirate
First Triumvirate (60 BC)
A political alliance between Pompey, Crassus, and Julius Caesar.
Pompey
A successful Roman general who expanded Roman territory and later fought against Caesar.
Crassus
The wealthiest man in Rome who defeated the slave revolt led by Spartacus.
Julius Caesar
A powerful Roman general who gained fame and wealth through his conquest of Gaul.
Why the First Triumvirate weakened the Republic
It allowed three powerful men to control Roman politics outside the authority of the Senate.
Caesar and Civil War
Crossing the Rubicon (49 BC)
Caesar crossed the Rubicon River with his army, beginning a civil war against Pompey and the Senate.
Battle of Pharsalus (48 BC)
The battle where Caesar defeated Pompey and took control of Rome.
Caesar’s Reforms
Included granting citizenship to provinces, creating the Julian Calendar, and starting public works programs.
Caesar as Dictator for Life
Caesar declared himself dictator for life, alarming many senators.
Assassination of Julius Caesar (44 BC)
Members of the Senate assassinated Caesar to try to restore the Republic.
Second Triumvirate
Second Triumvirate
Alliance between Marc Antony, Octavian, and Lepidus formed after Caesar’s death.
Proscriptions
Violent purges used to eliminate political enemies such as Cicero.
Division of Roman Territories
Antony controlled the East, Octavian controlled the West, and Lepidus controlled Africa.
Antony vs Octavian
Marc Antony
Caesar’s former ally who formed a political alliance with Cleopatra of Egypt.
Cleopatra
Queen of Egypt who supported Antony during his conflict with Octavian.
Battle of Actium (31 BC)
Naval battle where Octavian defeated Antony and Cleopatra.
Death of Antony and Cleopatra
They committed suicide after their defeat.
Octavian and the End of the Republic
Octavian
Caesar’s adopted heir who became the most powerful leader in Rome after defeating Antony.
Augustus
Title taken by Octavian meaning “the revered one.”
Why Octavian avoided the title “dictator”
To avoid the backlash that led to Caesar’s assassination.
Powers of Augustus
Control of the army, government, and provinces, giving him effective total authority.
End of the Roman Republic
When Octavian became Augustus, power became concentrated in one ruler and the Roman Empire began.