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The Republic in Crisis
CHW 3M
Marius & the Army Reforms
Marius was a member of Equestrian family and army
commander. In 107BC. took control of legion fighting
war in North Africa.
• defeated Africans and returned a national hero
Marius was elected consul. Although he wasn’t a very
skilled politician he is important for reorganizing the
Roman Army.
• allowed all citizens to enlist
New recruits were often very poor
Became dependant on their
generals to provide for them
after retirement
Opened door for
dictatorship: Roman
generals use their loyal
army to win power for
themselves
Murder and Mayhem
88BC Cornelius Sulla was chosen to be
a Consul and lead a Roman army
against Pontus (Asia Minor).
• Marius becomes jealous
• attempts to gain Sulla’s new post
Marius returns and puts Sulla’s
supporters to death
• Marius dies of natural causes
Sulla marched his army into Rome
• took control of city
• drove out or murdered Marius army/supporters
• left for Asia Minor
When Sulla returned from Asia minor his army once again took
control of Rome
• Marius’s supporters driven out
• Ruled as dictator from 82-80BC
As dictator Sulla wanted to strengthen senate in order to
prevent future dictatorships and save the Republic.
After Sulla stepped down the Senate was
again in control but how strong were they?
Crassus
• Roman Senator, financer, army commander
• crushed Spartacus’s slave revolt with 6 legions
Pompey the Great
• one of Sulla’s top commanders
• sent to Spain to crush revolts
Both Crassus and Pompey and their
legions returned to Rome victourous and
made it known they wanted to be elected
as consuls. Although the Senate opposed
both of them they were granted the
position due to their military might.
The First Triumvirate
After his consulship had ended Pompey returned to the military. There he and his
legions cleared the Italian coast of fearsome pirates and the went East and expanded
the Roman empire to the Euphrates River. Upon his return to Rome the Senate refused
to acknowledge his accomplishments. In frustration Pompey would from an alliance
with Crassus and a talented young politician named Julius Caesar.
Caesar  Consul
 future military glory
Pompey  land for veterans
Crassus  share of Asian taxes
In 59BC Caesar was made consul and looked
after the other members of the triumvirate.
After Caesar term as Consul:
Caesar is given command of Roman
forces in Southern Gaul.
• conquers lands to English channel
• popularity sores in Rome
Crassus and Pompey remained puppet masters in Rome
• had supporters or themselves appointed consuls
• provided free grain for all who wanted it (buying votes)
Looking for military glory Crassus asked to lead a
campaigned against the Parthians, the most skilled
archers in the world. Crassus would die on the battle
field and Pompey became the sole Consul.
Frenemies
Caesar had many enemies in Rome
who were afraid of his growing power
and popularity. Many were actively
plotting to have him prosecuted for
waging unauthorized war against the
Gauls. After the death of Caesar’s
daughter, Julia, who was married to
Pompey the bond between the two
men began to weaken and Pompey
made a new alliance with Caesar’s
enemies. Pompey was given control of
all the forces in Italy and Caesar was
told to return to Rome and give up his
command of the Roman forces in Gaul.
If he would refuse it would mean civil
war. Caesar refused and on January 1st
49BC he was declared a public enemy.
Caesar’s Rome
On January 10th 49 BC Caesar and his
army crossed the Rubicon River, enter
Italy and marched to Rome.
The senate counted on the citizen or Rome
to see Caesar’s invasion of Italy as treason.
However they hailed him as a great patriot.
Pompey, his army as well as many senators
fled to Greece. By the year 45BC Julius
Caesar was the undisputed ruler of the
Roman World.