HANDOUT FOR NOV. 9: THE ROMAN REPUBLIC IN CRISIS
Dictator: Executive commander appointed by Senate in times of military emergency; has near-absolute power, but only for a limited period of time.
Imperator: Commander-in-chief, general. Originally a military title, but develops into political office: hence "emperor."
Latifundia: Vast plantation-farms of Sicily and Southern Italy, owned by wealthy senators, worked by slaves.
Publicans: Private contractors employed by the Roman state to collect taxes from provincials. They agree to send a fixed sum to Rome, and are allowed to keep as profit whatever else they can squeeze out of the provincials.
Chronology:
136-132: First slave revolt in Sicily.
133: Tribunate of Tiberius Gracchus. Proposes land reform; killed by senatorial opponents.
121: Tribunate of Gaius Gracchus. Proposes reforms, killed.
106-43: Cicero.
105: Marius wins victory against German tribes in Gaul. His attempt to secure land for his soldiers leads to political conflict.
91-89: "Social War": allied cities of Italy revolt; political settlement guarantees them full Roman citizenship rights.
88-86: Conflict between supporters of Marius and senatorial party.
82-79: Dictatorship of Sulla reinforces power of senatorial aristocracy. Nearly 3000 political enemies killed.
73-71: Slave revolt led by gladiator Spartacus.
66-64: Pompey wages war against Mithridates of Pontus and Mediterranean pirates. Syria becomes Roman province; Judaea becomes Roman client-state.
63-62: Conspiracy of Catiline denounced by Cicero.
60: Pompey, Julius Caesar, and Crassus make political alliance called First Triumvirate ("Rule by three men.")
58-51: Caesar conquers Gaul.
53: Crassus killed fighting Parthians at Carrhae.
49-46: Civil war between Caesar and Pompey.
48-47: Caesar in Egypt, allies with Cleopatra.
45: Caesar proclaimed dictator for life, imperator.
March 15, 44 BC (the "Ides of March"): Julius Caesar assassinated by senatorial conspirators.