Influential People in the Decline of the Roman Empire

887 Words4 Pages
From the middle of the 1st century BC the Roman Republic experienced a period of decline, culminating in the complete transition to, effectively, an absolute dictatorship under Augustus. The activities of Marius, Sulla, Pompey and Caesar all contributed to the decline in various ways. Each of these politicians set dangerous precedents that undermined the balance of power preserved in the constitution of the republic. The principles of collegiality and annuality that had limited an individual’s power and influence were flouted and offices of magistrates manipulated. Through their actions, power shifted from the Senate and republican institutions, to being militarily based and held in one individual’s hands. Whilst there are various causes of the decline of the Republic, the transference of power to individuals is regarded as a major cause. The most significant action of Marius’s career was his reform of the army which allowed for the concentration of military power to be held in a single individual’s hands. Although Marius took the step of widening military service to volunteers from all walks of life, this can be regarded as a culmination of a longer process of military recruitment reform. The result of this reform was the establishment of a professional army, not anxious for demobilization and with little regard for the cause they may be called to fight for. Following the Senate’s reluctance to provide military pensions, this responsibility fell to the military commanders, creating a strong bond between soldiers and their commander. It also became necessary for military commanders to engage in politics in order to secure these pensions. Thus the reforms of the military under Marius led to a shift in power to military commanders who now controlled fiercely loyal soldiers. Ambitious commanders were now able to use force to achieve political ambitions
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