1

Turbulent TimesBefore the Roman Civil War

2People to Know

• time period dominated by a few important political figures• contest for power• political and social unrest

3Cicero

• Born in 106 BC in Arpinum• No one in his family had held offices in Rome – he is a

“novus homō” – a new man to the government• In 63 BC he is consul and uncovers a conspiracy to

overthrow the government• Is best known as an orator, writer and senator• His letters to his friend Atticus give

us a daily account of what took place in Rome at this turbulent time.

4Gaius Julius Caesar

• Born in 100 BC• Was a Populares – wanted to help the people not the

aristocracy• Enters politics about 78 BC• 60 BC begins an alliance with Pompey and Crassus –

First Triumvirate• 59 BC – holds consulship • In Gaul from 58-50 BC – conquers huge expanses of

territory – loyal army

5Pompey

• Born 106 BC, dies 48 BC• consul three times• celebrates three military triumphs• began military career in Sulla’s army• military campaigns against pirates, Sicily, Africa, around

Black Sea• 60 BC- First Triumvirate with

Caesar and Crassus• Was an Optimate, who supported the

Senate and aristocracy

6Crassus

• 115 BC – 53 BC• Roman politician and general• wealthiest man in Rome and one of the richest of all time• gains political power by putting down a slave revolt• 70 BC- consulship of Pompey

and Crassus• First Triumvirate with

Pompey and Caesar

778-71 BC

• 78 Death of Sulla• 77 Pompey defeats political rivals in defense of Sulla• 76 Attempts to restore power to Tribunes• 75 Lex Aurelia- allows Tribunes to hold later offices,

Cicero Quaestor• 74 Rome acquires Bithynia and Cyrene, fights pirates• 73 Rising of Spartacus and slave revolt• 72 Spartacus continues revolt; Pompey’s rival

assassinated• 71 Spartacus defeated by Crassus; Pompey

returns from fighting

870-64 BC

• 70 Consulship of Crassus and Pompey• 67 Lex Gabinia gives Pompey extraordinary

command to defeat pirates• 66 Lex Manilia gives Pompey command

against Mithridates• 65 Crassus becomes Censor; Pompey

campaigns in Caucuses• 64 Pompey fights in Syria

963 BC

• Cicero becomes consul

• Caesar elected Pontifex Maximus

• Birth of Octavian (Augustus)

• Catilinarian conspiracy and executions

1062-58 BC

• 62 Clodius profanes Bona Dea festival;

Pompey conquers East• 61 Pompey’s triumph;

Caesar governor of further Spain

Allogbroges revolt• 60 Caesar returns from Spain

First Triumvirate• 59 Caesar is consul

Pompey marries Julia

Caesar receives Cisalpine Gaul and Illyricum• 58 Cicero exiled

Caesar defeats Helvetii

1157-55 BC

• 57 Riots in Rome between Clodius and MiloReturn of CiceroPompey concerned with food supplyCaesar defeats Belgae and Nervii

• 56 disagree among triumviriCicero attacks Caesar’s land lawCaesar campaigns against Veniti and Morini

• 55 2nd Consulship of Pompey and CrassusCaesar massacres 2 tribes and invades Britian

1254-53 BC

• 54 Pompey governs Spain remotely (from Rome)

death of JuliaRiots in RomeCaesar’s 2nd British expeditionCrassus prepares for Parthian campaigns

• 53 more riotsCrassus defeated and killedCaesar partly pacifies Gaul

1353-50 BC

• 52 Milo kills ClodiusPompey sole consulGauls revolt under Vercingetorix

• 51 Optimate attacks on Caesar • 50 Senate vetoes proposal for Pompey and

Caesar to disarmSenate asks Pompey to save the stateTribunes leave RomeCaesar crosses Rubicon into Italy