Asian and Western Civilization

Mr. Jeffrey A. Lubang

MW/ 1:00-2:30/ JFH404
Report: Fall of the Roman Republic
Reporters: Maria Bautista & Geraldine Young
A. Introduction:
The Roman republic was known for so many things, especially when the Senate
was introduced. It was supposed to be prosperous and a benevolent time in the Ancient
World but things changed when the Republic system of government underwent a brutal
and shameful transition from oligarchy to a more amenable autocratic form of
government in which the aristocrats takes charge. They were the foremost reason why the
Republic collapsed and a new Roman Civilization arise.
B. Four Steps to the Fall of the Republic:
1. The Rise of Popular Tribunes
- Tiberius Gracchus & Gaius Gracchus (the famous tribunal brothers)
They sought to introduce land reform and other populist legislation
They tried to restore order to the military by reclaiming public land
and putting landless poor citizens back on those lands.
Both members of the Populares, and have been deemed the
founding fathers of both socialism and populism.
Tiberius, was the one who attempted to legislate agrarian reform
and was killed by the Senators who strongly opposed of the idea
because almost all of them owned lands and uses it as the basis of
their wealth.
- Sacrosanctitas
Is a right of tribunes in Ancient Rome to not be harmed physically.
2. The Rise of Private Armies
- Gaius Marius & Cornelius Sulla
Recruited private armies in order to resolve military problems of
the state.
Chose landless poor citizens to become their soldier and join their
army in order to gain power. In return, they promised to give them
the land they ever wanted and bounties.
The 1st Civil War began between great knights/ leaders of the
Roman Republic.
- Dictator Rei Publicae = Dictator for the purpose of restoring the
Republic
Sulla defeated Marius and attempted to impose a reactionary
political reform on Rome as dictator.
3. The First Triumvirate
- Pompeius Magnus, Licinius Crassus & Julius Caesar

 The three combined their influence in order to seize power in

Rome. They have their own ways and contribution that almost
helped the Roman Republic gain its usual situation.
Pompey, as a popular general defeated numerous enemies of the
oligarchy. He used his private army through recruiting poor as
well, but he failed to hand over the lands as a reward to the
converted soldiers.
Crassus, an officer of Sulla used his power to make himself the
wealthiest man in Rome. Abused the proscriptions, which is the
outlawing of Roman citizens by putting their names on lists,
putting a price on their heads and there goods will be confiscated.
Crassus, with the use of his gained wealth, bought influence in the
Senate and became powerful in the Roman Republic.
Caesar, nephew of Marius was much trained and became consul.
He used his abilities to aid both Pompey and Crassus to strengthen
their power in the Senate. As a plus factor, Caesar gained almost
all the people interest and was favored by all.
After helping each other, an internal conflict between the three
emerged when the situation of the Roman Republic was changing.
They distanced themselves from one another and eventually fought
with each other in order to prove superiority.
2nd Civil War happened and eventually Julius Caesar won the
battle.
4. Caesars Dictatorship
- Restore the Republic
Caesar was granted 10 years of dictatorship in order to fulfill the
goal.
Since the Rome has this Republic mentality wherein they have the
right to freedom, Caesar avoided being called a tyrant and served
his duty by executing constitutional authority, working as a consul,
as Pontifex Maximus and as a Plebian Tribune.
- Rex = King
After trying to restore the Republic, Caesar then decided to declare
himself a DICTATOR.
- Caesars assassination
Caesar, after declaring himself a dictator gained anti supporters
and was killed. It was also the time when the precedent of rule by
one man had been established in Rome.
- Octavian
Julius Caesars great grandnephew was the next who succeed in his
position.
C. Causes of Political Decline:
1. Booty and Profits of War
- Only the wealthier benefited while the poor suffered and was abused.

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Profiting from war led to heightened competition for high office and
extensive electoral bribery.
Heightened Status of Roman Senators
- Roman Aristocracy was recognize as important world leaders.
- Hierarchical Society was established due to the popularity of Senators
and Knights who gained powers.
- Palatial town houses and monumental art villas emerged
Knights
- They became powerful social stratum in the socity because of their
involvement in the government to maintain it.
Development of a slave agricultural economy in Italy and Sicily
- The term Latifundia was introduced because huge lands were
converted into ranch that became the occupation of the poor and
needed.
- Citizens of Italy and Sicily were given citizenship in Rome but they
were treated as slaves. This revolt into the creation of the famous slave
rebellion called Spartacus.
Changes in the Military
- Draft-dodging was the term used in the Ancient Rome of recruiting
armies by promising them the land they need. Farmers evaded the draft
by abandoning their farms and moving to the city in order to train for
the battle.
The Financial burden of Empire
- Publicani are the public contractor who maintained public buildings
and other public establishments of the state by collection of taxes and
other revenues.
- The Roman authorities leads the collection of these taxes, yet they use
it for personal interest and other matter such as weapons for the armies
that eventually worsen the Roman Republics economy.