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INTRO TO ANCIENT ROME
Outline for
Lecture 3: The Republic &
Hellenization
Results of Conquest
- new wealth
- massive cultural influx (esp. Greek)
- slaves become numerically significant
- dispossession of lower classes: emergence of latifundia
(large farming estates)
- social unrest
The Gracchi
- elected tribune on a platform of redistribution of the
land to the poor (133,123).
- opposed by Senate, and both are killed
- the political landscape of Rome could be changed by a
revolutionary tribune of the plebs
The Late Republic: Anarchy and Civil War
- two political factions in the Senate: Optimates and
Populares
- new role of tribune of the plebs
- new political importance of generals
Marius
- introduced volunteer, semiprofessional army and threw
its ranks open to proletariat
- German invaders were wiped out by this new army
(102-101)
- senate refused to grant land to veterans.
- result: coalitions between destitute veterans and
ambitious generals.
Social War
- 91 Rome's allies in Italy rose in a great revolt
- Romans granted the franchise to all who submitted.
Sulla
- Civil war followed (88-82) vs. Marius and his
supporters
- Sulla had the support of the aristocrats.
- marched on Rome, declared himself dictator (82-81).
- reign of terror.
- attempt to reestablish the dominance of the senate
ultimately failed
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