To what extent did political crises from the period of 78-49BC undermine the Roman Republic?

Introduction Political Crises from the period of 78-49 BC played an invaluable role in undermining the Roman Republic during this historical period. The political instability and social unrest that had culminated in the demise of the Roman republic created struggles especially for the Senate. Despite the concept of Senatus Populus Que Ramanus, that is, the Senate and the people of Rome, it was the Senate in this period that was, as a result of political crises, the instigator for the fall of the roman republic. Initial Roles Advised magistrates Foreign relations Preparing legislation Administering finances Supervising state religion Declined Roles Roles declined with outbreak of social unrest and instability b/w members of authority Did not administer strong leadership Corrupt & Inefficient Only interested in own power Had to deal with strong generals (Caesar + Pompey) Result of the war and impacts on republic Senate lost its power as these two men + supporters used the Senate as a puppet to legitimize their actions Sulla victory enabled the republic to gain uttermost restoration of power after the instability of civil war Sulla feared republic was loosing power + authority; during dictatorship made many constitutional reforms in order to strengthen the aristocracy Reforms were successful until repealed by other consuls Precedent by Sulla and impact on republic Reform need for an army to remain loyal to the Senate rather than to its generals Did not prevent determined generals [Pompey + Caesar] from using their armies for personal ambition against Senate Plutarch explains that Sulla provided precedent that led Caesar to cross the Rubicon and Pompey to march on Rome Cicero comments that Pompey said: If Sulla could, why cant I? Sullas example proved that it could be done and therefore inspired others to attempt it; and in this respect, another step for undermining the republic 1st Century interdependence between army and political power Generals (Pompey + Caesar) showed that political power arises from control and success of their army and not that of the Senate Plutarch asserts it was the senate who gave the special

Role of the Senate

Civil War (Marius Vs Sulla)

Use of army for political purpose

Urban Violence

Catiline Conspiracy

Conclusion

commands to the generals, giving them legitimacy and allowing them to bypass cursus honorum Generals used armies to produce threat to achieve greater political power than the Senate Senate intimidated therefore chose not to refuse any demand of generals Caesar I should have been condemned if I had not sought help from my army Generals able to amass great wealth from foreign wars, garnered themselves great prestige and popularity and large client base from victories Citizens began to adhere to generals and drifted away from governing body- the Senate Forms of violence such as riots and civil unrest Crises so horrific that elections could not be held in 53-52 Law and order beginning to break down as civilians and authoritative members resorted to violence Linoltt not without precedent ( triumvirs resorted to violence to secure political placing, so did Clodius whose purpose of forming gangs was to secure his own praetorship Many casualties forced senate to pass the Senatus consultium ultimum, where Pompey was given sole consulship of 52 to deal with the disorder Ultimately led to Pompey having control over republic = undermining of republic Potentially overthrown the roman republic Historiography of event (Sallust, Cicero and Plutarch) similar Annoyed Catiline sought revenge upon republic for not being elected as consul despite extensive efforts Catiline + followers plotted to murder Cicero, set fire to the city, free all slaves and call upon them to loot Military crises adverted when consular army sent against Catiline insurrection put down Crises now in hand of senate had to decide what to do with participating conspirators Vote contrary to traditional practice = put to death w/o trial Notion exposed not only obvious terror at what the consequences would have arisen if the conspirators been successful, but demonstrated how simple it was to emasculate the republic Thus, it is clear that political crises within the historical period of 78-49 BC had played a critical role in undermining the Roman republic. The senate had not only caused its own distress but, by attempting to deal with the crises around the streets of Rome and through their obvious mishandling of power, the body had ultimately become the instigators for the eventual collapse of the Roman Republic.