CHW 3MThe Republic in Crisis

Marius & the Army ReformsMarius was a member of Equestrian family and army commander. In 107BC. took control of legion fighting war in North Africa.

• defeated Africans and returned a national hero

Marius was elected consul. Although he wasn’t a very skilled politician he is important for reorganizing the Roman Army.

• allowed all citizens to enlist

New recruits were often very poor Became dependant on their generals to provide for them after retirement

Opened door for dictatorship: Roman generals use their loyal army to win power for themselves

Murder and Mayhem88BC Cornelius Sulla was chosen to be a Consul and lead a Roman army against Pontus (Asia Minor).

• Marius becomes jealous • attempts to gain Sulla’s new post

Sulla marched his army into Rome• took control of city• drove out or murdered Marius army/supporters• left for Asia Minor

Marius returns and puts Sulla’s supporters to death• Marius dies of natural causes

When Sulla returned from Asia minor his army once again took control of Rome• Marius’s supporters driven out• Ruled as dictator from 82-80BC

As dictator Sulla wanted to strengthen senate in order to prevent future dictatorships and save the Republic.

Crassus• Roman Senator, financer, army commander• crushed Spartacus’s slave revolt with 6 legions

Pompey the Great• one of Sulla’s top commanders• sent to Spain to crush revolts

Both Crassus and Pompey and their legions returned to Rome victourous and made it known they wanted to be elected as consuls. Although the Senate opposed both of them they were granted the position due to their military might.

After Sulla stepped down the Senate was again in control but how strong were they?

The First TriumvirateAfter his consulship had ended Pompey returned to the military. There he and his legions cleared the Italian coast of fearsome pirates and the went East and expanded the Roman empire to the Euphrates River. Upon his return to Rome the Senate refused to acknowledge his accomplishments. In frustration Pompey would from an alliance with Crassus and a talented young politician named Julius Caesar.

Caesar Consul future military glory

Pompey land for veteransCrassus share of Asian taxes

In 59BC Caesar was made consul and looked after the other members of the triumvirate.

After Caesar term as Consul:

Crassus and Pompey remained puppet masters in Rome • had supporters or themselves appointed consuls• provided free grain for all who wanted it (buying votes)

Caesar is given command of Roman forces in Southern Gaul.

• conquers lands to English channel• popularity sores in Rome

Looking for military glory Crassus asked to lead a campaigned against the Parthians, the most skilled archers in the world. Crassus would die on the battle field and Pompey became the sole Consul.

Caesar had many enemies in Rome who were afraid of his growing power and popularity. Many were actively plotting to have him prosecuted for waging unauthorized war against the Gauls. After the death of Caesar’s daughter, Julia, who was married to Pompey the bond between the two men began to weaken and Pompey made a new alliance with Caesar’s enemies. Pompey was given control of all the forces in Italy and Caesar was told to return to Rome and give up his command of the Roman forces in Gaul. If he would refuse it would mean civil war. Caesar refused and on January 1st 49BC he was declared a public enemy.

Frenemies

The senate counted on the citizen or Rome to see Caesar’s invasion of Italy as treason. However they hailed him as a great patriot.

On January 10th 49 BC Caesar and his army crossed the Rubicon River, enter Italy and marched to Rome.

Pompey, his army as well as many senators fled to Greece. By the year 45BC Julius Caesar was the undisputed ruler of the Roman World.

Caesar’s Rome