ROMSO Cyprus Knowledge Base

The Fall of the Republic

The beginning of the end for the leaders who were not considered noble by the citizens came when the Gracchi brothers challenged the traditional constitutional system during the two decades 120-130 BC. Although they belonged to the aristocratic class, they sought to distribute public land to Italian peasant farmers who had been deprived of it. This was followed by other measures, but many senators were afraid of Gracchi's policy and the brothers met a violent end.

The next hero of the people was the great general Gaius Marius, who deviated from the usual practice by enlisting citizens not just landowners, but also those without land, including the growing urban proletariat. These individuals looked to their leader at the end of the war for permanent compensation in the form of private land. Thus, the situation developed where leaders and their armies conspired to achieve political goals; leaders sought power, while soldiers sought rewards.

During the 80s BC, Marius's temporary dominance was eclipsed by Sulla, who moved towards Rome after his Roman invasion forces under his command had been transferred and were intended to invade the kingdom of Pontus. Sulla's opponent was Marius. After leaving Rome devastated and terrified, Sulla regained control of the eastern army and appointed loyal agents in the consulate, then turned towards occupying Pontus. Upon returning to Rome, Sulla faced opposition to his rule from those loyal to Marius and his followers. Sulla, with the help of Pompey the Great and Marcus Licinius Crassus, suppressed his political opponents and made himself dictator of Rome.

Sulla was a strong supporter of aristocratic privilege, and on this basis, his reign saw the abolition of legislation favorable to the people, the condemnation - usually without trial - of thousands of his enemies, and their violent punishment. The exile of many citizens also occurred during this period.

After Sulla's death, the Roman Republic was restored in some form under Pompey the Great, who - despite his popularity - faced two skilled political opponents: Crassus, a wealthy man, and Julius Caesar.

Instead of resorting to civil war, the three men reached a political compromise known as the First Triumvirate. Caesar was appointed governor of two Gallic provinces (modern-day France), then launched a campaign of conquest, known as the Gallic Wars, which led to significant territorial gains and vast wealth, and his army gained extensive experience through an eight-year war against the Gauls.

Crassus, who felt envious of Caesar's success, launched a campaign in Parthia, where he was defeated and killed at the Battle of Carrhae.

In 50 BC, Caesar was summoned to Rome to stand trial for his war crimes. However, Caesar, who did not accept this humiliation, especially after his great victories, crossed the Rubicon River with his loyal Roman legions in 49 BC. Caesar was considered a traitor to Rome and an enemy of the state, and became an opponent of the Senate led by Pompey the Great.

This led to a violent civil war between Caesar and the Republic. However, the Senate and Pompey were not enough to counter Caesar's forces, and this superiority was finally evident in the Battle of Pharsalus, where Caesar defeated Pompey's legions despite their numerical superiority. Then, Pompey fled to Egypt, where he was beheaded.

In the end, Caesar imposed his complete dominance and was appointed dictator of the Roman Republic for life. However, Caesar's career was cut short due to his assassination in Rome in 44 BC by a group of senators, including Marcus Junius Brutus, who belonged to the Julian clan.