Classical Studies 1000 Lecture 52: Crisis of the Republic The Gracchi, Marius and Sulla

• School: Western University
• Department: Classical Studies
• Course: Classical Studies 1000
• Professor: Bernd Steinbock

Document Summary

Likely the romans did not plan on this mediterranean empire it just worked out. Imperium romanum: people and regions had to obey rome"s supreme command (imperium), including provinces and dependent allies not a territorial empire. Roman provincial administration: provinces under consul, proconsul, praetor, propraetor : absolute unchecked power. Socio-economic repercussions: urbanization, civic and private buildings boom ( so many being built, growth of industry, trade and commerce. Role of the senate: pillar of rome"s success until 200 bc. Political threat to equality and cohesion of nobility: threats to internal cohesion, economic inequality, excessive ambition. Tiberius sempronius gracchus: nobel family, mother cornelia is daughter of scipio africanus the elder, his father consul and censor. Lex sempronia agraria: concerns public lands, land confiscated by romans but not yet distributed -> it can be occupied and used/worked. Law is max 500 iugera (~300 acres), but this law was not being enforced.