Post by Christopher Martin on Oct 27, 2016 4:25:52 GMT
THE END OF THE REPUBLIC (60-30BC)
As a reminder, we'll be splitting our study of the Roman civilization into three periods: The Republic, The Imperial Age, and Christian Rome. Today's lecture begins the tale of how Rome transitioned to a Imperial Dictatorship.
We begin this period (60-30BC) with triumvirate of power, secretly arranged by its members: Julius Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus. Although a patrician, Caesar supported the popularis faction, and was therefore hated by many in the Senate. however, he had made himself loved by the people through putting on lavish games, and had gained a reasonable military reputation in Spain. With the support of the other triumvirs, he easily won election as consul in 59 BC.
Once in office, Caesar quickly passed two land reform measures, giving Pompey's veterans their lands. He also revised taxes in the east, giving Crassus what he wanted for his own supporters, the tax-collecting knights. With Pompey and Crassus' support, his next step was to procure for himself proconsular command in the two important Gallic provinces (southern France and northern Italy) with their large armies, rather than the trivial command over "the woods and forests of Italy" that the Senate had decreed. Caesar pushed these measures through the Senate and assembly ruthlessly and often illegally. It is reported that he once beat up his fellow consul Bibulus when the latter tried to oppose him. The support his fellow triumvirs had given him revealed the existence of their covert alliance, and Popey married Julia, Caesar's daughter. Such political marriages were very common at the time.
This should be sufficient background to the week's text, Caesar's conquest of Gaul. FIND IT HERE
As a reminder, we'll be splitting our study of the Roman civilization into three periods: The Republic, The Imperial Age, and Christian Rome. Today's lecture begins the tale of how Rome transitioned to a Imperial Dictatorship.
We begin this period (60-30BC) with triumvirate of power, secretly arranged by its members: Julius Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus. Although a patrician, Caesar supported the popularis faction, and was therefore hated by many in the Senate. however, he had made himself loved by the people through putting on lavish games, and had gained a reasonable military reputation in Spain. With the support of the other triumvirs, he easily won election as consul in 59 BC.
Once in office, Caesar quickly passed two land reform measures, giving Pompey's veterans their lands. He also revised taxes in the east, giving Crassus what he wanted for his own supporters, the tax-collecting knights. With Pompey and Crassus' support, his next step was to procure for himself proconsular command in the two important Gallic provinces (southern France and northern Italy) with their large armies, rather than the trivial command over "the woods and forests of Italy" that the Senate had decreed. Caesar pushed these measures through the Senate and assembly ruthlessly and often illegally. It is reported that he once beat up his fellow consul Bibulus when the latter tried to oppose him. The support his fellow triumvirs had given him revealed the existence of their covert alliance, and Popey married Julia, Caesar's daughter. Such political marriages were very common at the time.
This should be sufficient background to the week's text, Caesar's conquest of Gaul. FIND IT HERE