Why Was There A Political Divide Between The Optimates And The Populares
The Roman Republic was created in 509 BCE when the Romans revolted against the Etruscans. Rome became an independent republic controlled by wealthy landowners, also known as the Patricians. The commoners throughout Rome were known as the Plebeians, and there was a constant struggle over rights between these two groups. In later years, the expansion of Rome led to a political divide. In this political divide, two factions emerged; the Optimates and the Populares. The Optimates were the most powerful families in Rome and wanted to preserve the current state of the Republic because it allowed the senators to control power. The Populares was full of farmers and was more focused on the causes of the regular man. The more wealthy citizens slowly began to buy land for their homes, which caused small farmers to begin to lose their jobs. Food was beginning to shrink, and thousands of Populares had lost their jobs. This created more animosity between the two factions. …show more content…
Tiberius Gracchus wanted to make land reforms which would protect the commoners. He wanted the excess land bought by the Optimates to be distributed among the peasants. The Senate believed he was doing this to gain power and sent the Optimates to kill him and his followers. Gaius Gracchus also wanted to help the poorer people in Rome. He proposed a law that would lower the price of grain and also wanted to create colonies for the commoners to allow them to own land. The Senate once again felt threatened by Gaius’ plan and killed him to preserve the Republic. This further broke the stability of the
The Biggest Problems In Simon Baker's Ancient Rome
626 Words | 3 PagesTiberius built on this trust with the plebs, and told them he could get their land back, and that he wanted to help. This is prompted him to become tribune. After achieving this status, he chose to identify one of Rome's biggest problems, the distribution of land. He claimed that the upper class had too much and the lower class had too little. Therefore he proposed a new law to be passed.
Suetonius Accomplishments Of Caesar
562 Words | 3 PagesCaesar himself documented a letter in 46 BC, stating his political aims to achieve ‘peace for the provinces, and security for the Empire’ (source 11). Although possibly serving as propaganda, Caesar essentially represents himself as champion of Rome. This did indeed occur, as Caesar established stability by establishing a uniform system of government among the provinces, and also reforming the tax system in order to reduce corruption (source 9). In addition, measures were passed in order to relieve debt and stabilise the economy, while the amount of senators was increased to 900, simultaneously increasing the number of praetors, questers and aediles (source 9). By increasing the number of senatorial positions, essentially, Caesar was transferring power to the plebeians, which is an obvious contradiction to claims Caesar was merely seeking personal glory, as his power was used to enhance
Impact Of The Legacy Of Gracchi Brothers
978 Words | 4 PagesFor example, a bill introduced by Tiberius was without consultation with the Senate, which “was not illegal, but it violated a custom of long standing.” Furthermore, upon receiving a veto by fellow tribune Marcus Octavius, Tiberius had him removed from office with his power, which was unconstitutional. Such actions on his behalf led the Senate to fear his growing alleged tyrant power which eventually led to a revolt in which Tiberius and many of his followers were killed. Similarly, Gaius Gracchus was killed along with his supporters by his political foes as a result of his agrarian reforms that were accumulating a massive public following. These events portray one of the biggest aspects of the Gracchi legacy, which was violence as a means of political resolution.
How Did Pompey Contribute To The Fall Of The Roman Republic
1504 Words | 7 PagesTo a significant extent, Sulla, Pompey and Cicero were individuals who allowed situations to occur which led to the fall of the republic. The fall of the Roman republic was more than a single man. It was a culmination of several individual actions, coupled with social conditions that were weighted heavily on Roman society. Though powerful individuals contributed to the fall of the republic, it was not successful in preventing the fall of the republic however, it has significantly maintained control of Rome for an adequate period of time. This is most apparent through Sulla substantial amount of power to increase the power of the senate and gave rise to individuals, also through Pompey’s formation of the first triumvirate with Crassus and Cicero.
Did Julius Caesar Rule Through Power Or Authority
900 Words | 4 PagesMatt Roer 5/18/15 Did Julius Caesar rule through power or authority during his political reign? During Caesar’s political reign, he ruled through authority because he was able to deliver the needs of the majority populares group while satisfying the optimates by building public works projects, creating reforms that benefitted foreigners and the populares, and conquering the land of other regions. Caesar convinced others that it was in their best interest to be ruled because he provided Romans and outsiders with opportunities to be financially successful. When Caesar first got into power, he decided to stack his supporters by doling out citizenship to people from regions where he used to live such as the Alps (B).
Compare And Contrast The Populist Movement And The Progressive Movement
756 Words | 4 PagesDuring the progressive era political parties controlled everything about the social system and could easily dominate the other party by forming political machines. The parties recruited members by offering them jobs, money, and favors. They also provided social services, hosted community events, and gave food to the needy, all in exchange for votes. During the time of reform the two main views on government were the progressive party and the populist movement. The populist movement was supported mainly by farmers in the south and west, they wanted local stores built, more railroads, and more telegraph lines.
Doing Away With The Senate Tiberius Analysis
73 Words | 1 PagesFurthermore, when the author describes how Tiberius handled his plans, he states, “interempto senatu”, making Tiberius appear to have negative intentions for the senate. In his “doing away with” the senate, Tiberius is depicted to be discarding a traditional Roman value. In this way, the author chooses specific words to make Tiberius appear to be someone who cared about power for himself, but had no regards for the republic- and was thusly
How Did Julius Caesar Cause The Civil War
1474 Words | 6 PagesThis demonstrates one of the reasons for the outbreak of the war. The Senate did not want to relinquish its power or authority to Caesar and so opposed his actions. Plutarch tells us that at a time, Pompey was willing to grant Caesar some of his demands but was actually denied the chance by Lentulus, the consul. This suggests that the optimates, if they wanted peace at all, wanted it on their own terms and not those of Caesar.
How Did Gracchi Brothers Law Contribute To The Downfall Of The Roman Republic?
1808 Words | 8 PagesTiberius and Gaius Gracchus, better known as the ‘Gracchi Brothers’ were a pair of tribunes descending from the plebs from the 2nd century BCE who sought to introduce land reforms and other legislations that aligned with their populist views/ideas. It can be said that the career of the two brothers was marked by murder, riots and outright manipulation of the power they were granted which completely altered the state of Roman politics- aiding in the breakdown of the Roman Republic. The legislation they sought to pass essentially redistributed major aristocratic land ownership among the commoners such as the urban poor and veterans. After achieving little success during the early stages of the reforms, both were assassinated by enemy parties.
Sula During The Civil War Essay
591 Words | 3 PagesOver 4700 Roman citizens were executed and their properties were confiscated and sold by auction offering great fortunes to his followers. He also transferred all the legislative power to the Senate and removed the laws of the Gracchi. All of these harsh actions done in order to go against the democratic political views of Marius were very unjustified and
Why Did The Senate Kill Caesar
330 Words | 2 PagesThe Senate realized Caesar was going to be king for a long period, thus destroying the power of the Senate. The Senators intention was killing for the good, the integrity, and the survival of the Republic. They alleged that his power would end their representative government. By doing that, though, they brought on rule by strong emperors, which ended the power of the Roman Senate. This is shown by how the killers claimed the murder was the murder of a tyrant.
How Did The Civil War Lead To The Transformation Of Rome
665 Words | 3 PagesHe stabilized the empire, and thus destroyed the republic. His short reign ended what was left of the republic. People contemplate whether or not he was a good leader, and if he is the main reason for the fall. In reality, the fall of the republic was inevitable. Caesar just sped it up slightly.
Why Did The Roman Republic Fall
913 Words | 4 Pages“Why did the Roman Republic fall?” The Roman Republic did not fall simply from one cause, rather many external pressures that brought on political instability and destruction. There were multiple pressures that lead to the downfall of Rome including ambitious generals, changing politics, client armies, and a desolate Senate desperate to remain prominent. Many significant people of the time, who wrote letters and speeches on ancient Rome, help to build detailed recollections of the political warfare that took place between 78-31BC.
The Gracchi Brothers: The Roman Political System
926 Words | 4 PagesThe Gracchi brothers, Tiberius and Gaius, had intentions of making Rome the best it could be, which contradicted the visions of the Senators. The two brothers grew up during a tough time in the Roman Empire, but they took it upon themselves to make a difference. “The Empire went through tremendous growth, through both acquisition of land, slaves, and various citizen classes.” This drastic growth ultimately led to a fall in the Roman political system. Tiberius, the older brother, founded the idea of the agrarian laws, which was later continued by his younger brother, Gaius, after his death.
How Did Pax Romana Change Society
978 Words | 4 PagesTwo million square kilometers of land, fifty-five thousand miles of roads, and sixty-five million people, this was Rome at its height under “Pax Romana”. “Pax Romana” or the Roman Peace was a period of relative order and security which lasted for two hundred years and beginning with the reign of Augustus. The Roman Peace had a significant impact on the political, economic and social systems of the Roman Empire. On the 14th of March, 44 BCE, Julius Caesar is assassinated, sending the Roman Empire into chaos and forever changing the political landscape.
More about Why Was There A Political Divide Between The Optimates And The Populares
The Biggest Problems In Simon Baker's Ancient Rome
626 Words | 3 PagesSuetonius Accomplishments Of Caesar
562 Words | 3 PagesImpact Of The Legacy Of Gracchi Brothers
978 Words | 4 PagesHow Did Pompey Contribute To The Fall Of The Roman Republic
1504 Words | 7 PagesDid Julius Caesar Rule Through Power Or Authority
900 Words | 4 PagesCompare And Contrast The Populist Movement And The Progressive Movement
756 Words | 4 PagesDoing Away With The Senate Tiberius Analysis
73 Words | 1 PagesHow Did Julius Caesar Cause The Civil War
1474 Words | 6 PagesHow Did Gracchi Brothers Law Contribute To The Downfall Of The Roman Republic?
1808 Words | 8 PagesSula During The Civil War Essay
591 Words | 3 PagesWhy Did The Senate Kill Caesar
330 Words | 2 PagesHow Did The Civil War Lead To The Transformation Of Rome
665 Words | 3 PagesWhy Did The Roman Republic Fall
913 Words | 4 PagesThe Gracchi Brothers: The Roman Political System
926 Words | 4 PagesHow Did Pax Romana Change Society
978 Words | 4 Pages