The military reforms of Gaius Marius resulted in soldiers often having more loyalty to their commander than to the city, and a powerful general could hold the city and Senate ransom. This led to civil war between Marius and his protegé Sulla, and culminated in Sulla's dictatorship of 81–79 BC. In the mid-1st century BC, three men, Julius Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus, formed a secret pact—the First Triumvirate—to control the Republic. After Caesar's conquest of Gaul, a stand-off between Caesar and the Senate led to civil war, with Pompey leading the Senate's forces. Caesar emerged victorious, and was made dictator for life.
Although there were several involved in the assassination of Caesar, one individual stood out because of his relationship with Caesar and unusual position. This essay will display characteristics of Brutus that represent the makings of a trustworthy and respectable leader while also underlying his flaws. When analyzing Marcus Brutus and his ideals, the inevitable question becomes did Brutus truly believe that his actions were strictly for the good of Rome? And why was it necessary for Caesar to have to die for Rome to prosper? This essay will examine these questions and illustrate the justification of Marcus Brutus betraying and killing Julius Caesar.
Bleda and I just recently defeated the Roman general Aspar. The defeat of Aspar scared the Romans greatly, making them purchase peace with an annual tribute of 6000 pounds of gold. I have come to believe that Bleda is no longer fit to be in command, and must be killed soon. Tonight I plan to slit his throat while he is asleep. As soon as he is dead I will unite all of the Huns under my leadership and become the Absolute ruler I was destined to be (Dyson 282-283).
King Phillip II of Macedon told his son Alexander "My boy, you must find a kingdom big enough for your ambition. Macedon is too small for you" after he had tamed a fearful horse at the age of only 10. Alexander proved his father right and grew up to be one of the world's most legendary military commanders. He was born into an era of poor leaders and brutality and took advantage of the exceptional education he received from Aristotle among others. He lead his army 11,000 miles, founded over 70 cities and created an empire that stretched across 3 continents and covered around 2 million square miles.
How did Augustus establish and maintain his power? After the assassination of Julius Caesar in March 44BC, Augustus went to Rome to claim his inheritance and to avenge the death of his great uncle Julius. After liaising with Marc Antony and Lepidus to form an alliance called the triumvirate, they gained revenge over the murderers of Julius and divided the empire between themselves. However, Octavian was set to gain undivided power over Rome, in doing so; he gradually stripped his triumvirate of power and gained the favor of Rome. Octavian placed Lepidus in Pontius Maximus, which provided him with little power in politics; however Marc Antony would be more of an obstacle, as he had now equal rule of Egypt with his wife Cleopatra.
Chaos was created following the assassination of Julius Caesar. a struggle for power stood between Caesar’s first lieutenant Mark Anthony, and his grandnephew and adopted son Octavian. The struggles between the two were solved at Actium in 31 BCE. Here, Octavian’s navy routed the combined forces between Anthony and Queen Cleopatra. She desired the power to govern Rome’s empire, and to govern a vast Roman world-state.
The following dialogue seems to be set up in a way to manipulate Brutus so that he may join Cassius in his plot against Caesar. Cassius bespoke words against Brutus’ own honor, of which he was so inherently proud of it was likely a strike against his very person, in a sense to dress up Caesar to be an enemy of the state. “Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world / Like
By the time of Julius Caesar's dictatorship and subsequent assassination at the hands of the Senate, the Roman Republic was in a virtual free-fall of corruption and struggle for power. The Roman people were tired of the turmoil brought on by decades of war and needed a leader that could and would restore peace, order, and prosperity. Nonetheless, thirteen years of civil war followed Caesar's assassination and during this time Octavian, the grand-nephew and heir of Caesar, came into his sizable inheritance. He entered into a military-dictatorship (the Second Triumvirate) of Rome with supporters of his late great-uncle, was given a senate seat, and was elected consul and granted imperium, all before the age of twenty. Before he was 32 years
Five times he apparently hosted grand combat tournaments involving gladiators from all over the Roman world. In a total of eight events hosted in his name or those of his family, he claims that 10,000 men fought, and in twenty-six separate events, 3,500 African beasts were killed. Perhaps more elaborate than all the others, and as a harbinger of things to come, Augustus hosted a tremendous mock naval battle in the 'Grove of the Caesars' near the Tiber (flooded by his own Aqua Alsietina) in which at least 30 full sized naval vessels (along with many smaller ones) and 3,000 men engaged in combat. Augustus understood the need for control of
divided Macedon into four republics The West Romans committed dreadful atrocities; lied, cheated, and broke treaties to exploit and pacify natives Religion 205 B.C.E. public worship of Cybele, Great mother goddess from Asia Minor banned worship of other gods. Education Fathers taught sons and had physical training for potential soldiers. Romans learned Greek Girls of upper class learned similar Roman Imperialism Aftermath of Conquest War and expansion changed the economic, social, and political life of Italy. Veterans could not go back to farms Latifundia- abandoned land acquired by wealthy The Gracchi Tiberius Gracchus (168-133 B.C.E.)