the social war, marius, sulla & caesar: patricians vs. plebeians
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The Social War, Marius, Sulla & Caesar: Patricians vs. Plebeians. Global History I Spiconardi. Social Structure. Patricians elite aristocrats of Rome Plebeians commoners of Rome Republic Government whose power is based on popular representation. The Social War. Causes - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
The Social War, Marius, Sulla & Caesar: Patricians vs.
Plebeians
Global History ISpiconardi
Social Structure
Patricians elite aristocrats of Rome Plebeians commoners of Rome Republic Government whose power is
based on popular representation
The Social War
Causes– Patricians refused to allow plebeians to hold
high political office– The Roman government refused to give its
allies citizenship– Peasant farmers were reduced to slaves– Political disputes between the Optimates
(Patrician Party) and Populares (Plebeian party)
The Social War
Resolution– Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus & Gaius
Sempronius Gracchus pass legislation Limited the amount of grain patrician could buy Freed up more grain for plebeians to buy
Assassination– The Optimates had both Gracchi brothers
assassinated– The Populares and Italian allies revolt, but
are put down by Optimate controlled army Oddly enough, they were granted citizenship
under the Lex Iulia
Marius vs. Sulla
Two Consuls of Rome, but hated each other– Marius member of the Populares– Sulla member of the Optimates
In his seventh term as consul, Marius– Re-organizes voting methods to give the
plebeians more of a political voice– Distributed grain to the plebeians
Patricians are OUTRAGED!
Marius vs. Sulla
In an attempt to seize power and control the army in an upcoming war Sulla…– marches on Rome and causes Marius to
flee for his life– overturns all the reforms to aid the
plebeians
Marius vs. Sulla
While at Sulla was at war– Marius returns to Rome
Burns down Sulla’s home Kills patrician supporters of Sulla
Sulla returns to Rome with his army– Defeats Marius– Post conscription lists– Takes land away from plebeians & gives to his
troops– Makes his troops Senators– Limits political power of the plebeians
Marius vs. Sulla
Significance– End of the Republic?
Elections did not matter– Whoever controlled the army, could control Rome
– Plebeians lose political power– Agricultural production declines
Sulla’s legions aren’t farmers– Rome forced to import grain from Africa
Gaius Julius Caesar
Nephew of Marius Adopts populares platform Rises through the political ranks of
Rome– Excellent Politician – Makes alliances with high-ranking
government officials (Pompey, the most celebrated man in Rome)
Gaius Julius Caesar
Rise to Power– Conquers Gaul– Caesar and Pompey distrust one another– Caesar marches on Rome and civil war
breaks out! Pompey and patrician government officials flee
Rome Caesar wins the war and his made dictator for life
– Pardons all political enemies
Gaius Julius Caesar
Activities and Reforms – Increases size of the Senate
New seats are filled by plebeians and conquered Gauls
– Revised Calendar (Stole it from Egypt)– Redistributes land to plebeians and
veterans
Gaius Julius Caesar
Absolute Monarch or Man of the People?– Senate fears his pro-plebeian reforms
How dare he take from the patricians!
– Senate fears relationship with Cleopatra – Accused Caesar of bribery and corruption
Gaius Julius Caesar
The Assassination– Senators including those
pardoned by Caesar plot an assassination
“E tu Brutus?”
– Caesar is approached by the Senators and stabbed to death
How about this for irony….Caesar collapses at the foot of a statue of Pompey
End of the Republic
Republic officially ends– Caesars grand-nephew &
adopted son Octavius Hunts down Caesar’s assassins Defeats Caesar’s advisor Marcus
Antonius in a power struggle Is crowned Emperor of Rome and
given title Augustus Caesar