Roman Historia

The world of Roman politics had never been short of intrigue, plots and shadowy business. Throughout its history, the Roman Republic would see dodgy dealings and behind the scene plotting as part and parcel of politics within the city. However, in 63 BC a plot was hatched by a group of conspirators that aimed at an act so heinous that it shock Rome to its foundations. Driven by ambition, greed and bitterness, a group of nobles sought to forcibly overthrow the state and undertake a coup against the Senate. Led by Lucius Sergius Catilina, the conspirators rejected Roman democracy and instead looked to utilise open violence and seize control of the Senate. The affair would become notorious not just for the level of violence and destruction that almost engulfed Rome, but also for the reputation that was made by the hero of the hour – none other than Marcus Tullius Cicero. Bad Reputation For Catiline, this would not be his first brush with controversy. Under the dictatorship o...

Once every year, the overcrowded streets of Rome would see its hustle and bustle brought to even greater heights. To the people of Rome, the increasing energy within the city could only mean one thing – election season had arrived.   Patrons would begin to call on their clients, gatherings would be held across the city, and potential candidates would bring out their specially whitened toga for the occasion. To the political elite of the Roman Republic, the election season offered them the chance to compete for the greatest prize of all within Roman society – the Consulship. Through victory at the polls, eternal glory could be won by the victor, with even the year itself deriving its name from the two Consuls elected. However, as we shall see, convincing the electorate was less a case of talent and political manoeuvring, and more down to upper class snobbery and prestige. The Executive Branch At a glance, the Consulship was similar to a modern day president or ...

To anyone entering the arena of Roman politics, the need to forge and maintain political alliances was a key skill to master. Whether it was for a bitterly fought election over the Consulship, or the direction of a senatorial debate, the use of political alliances has remained a constant theme throughout Roman history. Within the sphere of Roman politics, various different factors could be used to bring individuals together under the banner of a political faction – such as family ties, financial commitments, personal friendships or simply just mutual interests.  For any young senator looking to advance through the cursus , it was vital that they were able to navigate through the centuries old traditions of faction building to ensure that they could gain the required political support. Whilst these traditions were often highly complex, an insight into the art of alliance building can be gleamed from a highly publicised event in the history of the late republic – ...

By 52 BC, Rome found itself in a state of chaos. Endless bouts of street fighting between the mobs of two political heavyweights – Milo and Clodius – had paralyzed the city and left the Senate House in flames. Governmental business had ground to a standstill, consular elections were suspended, and the city had become unsafe as the rival mobs wreaked havoc. To many in Rome, the republic appeared to be under direct threat, and urgent action was demanded in the Senate. Under these circumstances, an extraordinary step was taken to tackle the situation – Pompey the Great was established as a sole consul for the year, giving him an absolute level of power to restore authority in the city. With the constraints of a consular colleague removed, Pompey was tasked with confronting these bloodthirsty gangs head on and bringing justice to the people of Rome. However, whilst such a command may appear truly incredible within the context of the Roman Republic, as we shall see, this step did...

Above: Cicero addresses the Senate Throughout Roman history, the skill of oratory had always remained a highly valued part of society. Whether it was the fierce political speeches given by Senators, or the pleas of innocence made in the law courts, Roman society relied upon the ability of its speakers to lead the republic and provide a sense of direction for its citizens. Oratory – which broadly involved the giving of speeches, debating, and the handling of legal trials – was a fiercely competitive industry, attracting political hopefuls and great legal minds alike to test their ability. Whilst Rome was particularly renowned for its great speakers, no one stands out more for their ability in the field than Marcus Tullius Cicecro (106-43 BC). Best known for his role in the republics eventual collapse, alongside his vain attempt to protect traditional Roman values, Cicero was able to ascend to a position of political power on the back of his great oratorical skill. But for Cicer...

Arminius after the battle of Teutoberg Forest Under the reign of Augustus Caesar, the first Roman Emperor, the people of Rome had witnessed an unprecedented number of conquests and victories. From the Balkans to Egypt, vast new territories had been added to the empire at breakneck speed - and nowhere was this more apparent than in Germany. Between the Rhine and the Elbe, the legions of Augustus were able to seize new territories within Germany, with their native populations pacified and at times even Romanized. By 9 AD, it appeared as though Augustus would prove to be the grand conqueror of the Germanic people. However, that year, as winter set in and the air began to cool, Roman control over Germany would find itself shattered into pieces. Augustus in Germany The northern Germanic peoples of Europe had long remained a foe of Rome. The thought of giant, long haired and uncivilised barbarians was enough to inspire both fear and disgust in the Roman mind, with the region ...

Above: Julius Caesar receives the surrender of Vercingetorix For Julius Caesar, the conquest of Gaul would prove to be his greatest triumph. Spanning a multitude of barbarian tribes and local factions, Gaul had long invoked fear within the Roman psyche. The thought of giant, long haired and unruly Gallic chieftains marauding across Rome had remained a longstanding fear within the city, with the tribes of Gaul themselves becoming an almost mythical being in the Roman imagination. Caesar’s conquest of Gaul – encompassing parts of modern day France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg – would immortalise his name in Roman history as one of the all time great conquerors. However, on the battlefield outside of Alesia (modern day Dijon), Caesar’s troops, alongside his legacy, faced its biggest challenge. The Great Uprising As the January cold settled across the Gallic landscape, in 52 BC Caesar was well on his way to completing his conquest of Gaul. Having...