Roman Historia

In the highly competitive and vicious world of Roman politics, the art of alliance building was a well established tradition. Whether it be the competing factions of Marius and Sulla or the tightly knit alliance of conservatives in the Senate (known as the Optimates) led by Cato, both clientelism and patronage were accepted as part and parcel of political strategy. Despite this, the alliance between Pompey, Crassus and Caesar that formed in 60 BC sent shockwaves across the Roman world – and would eventually bring the Republic to its knees. To understand what made this alliance just so powerful, we must first look to how it came about. Forming the Triumvirate By 60 BC, tensions were rising within the world of Roman politics. Pompey, having successfully waged a war in the East against Mithridates, was looking to consolidate his gains and have the veterans that served under him given land as a reward for their services. Whilst Pompey saw this as a fair and reasonable demand...

By March 44 BC, Julius Caesar had established himself as the undisputed master of Rome. After surviving the breakup of the Triumvirate and the ensuing civil war, which spanned across three different continents, Caesar had seen off all challengers and had cemented his position as dictator. Within Rome itself, concerned citizens looked on and pondered their own fate. Would Caesar eventually lay down his position and retire from public life, as Sulla had done as dictator a generation ago? Or would Caesar look to bring down the ailing Republic once and for all, and re-establish a monarchy in Rome.   As the Ides of March approached, the Roman people would not have to wait any longer for their answer.  The Background After defeating Pompey at the battle of Pharsalus (48 BC), Julius Caesar would spend the next few years bringing a bloody civil war to a close. Darting from Greece to Egypt, Rome to Spain, Caesar would stamp his authority on the state and destroy the remai...

The late Roman Republic has long been a source of fascination - whether for the great historical figures it produced (think Caesar or Cicero) or for the resulting empire that would emerge from its ruins. Although the generation of Caesar and Pompey became synonymous with the republics fall, we must look further into the past to see the start of its deterioration. The role of the Gracchi brothers provided the first spark of revolution that would continue  over the next century.  By the late 2nd century BC, Rome had established itself as the dominant force in the Mediterranean world - conquering Carthage, large parts of Spain (Hispania), Macedonia and Greece (among others). However, despite the vast wealth generated from these conquests, not all within Rome were content with society back home. The Gracchi Born c. 168 BC, Tiberius Gracchus made a name for himself through a spell of successful military service. He participated in the Siege of Carthage (146) and held the Quae...