Ciciro, Pompey and Caeser Flashcards
How does Cicero make it big?
Through law cases that are big and dangerous and so he shouldn’t win, he started law in 83BC
90-88 BC Cicero?
Serving in the social war
The trial of Sextus Roscius 80 BC
Cicero’s first major trial, the defendant had been accused of killing his father and trying to cover up the crime.
It involved an accusation against someone close to Sulla, therefore the case was dangerous
After the trial of sextus roscius, Cicero disappears off the political radar to where?
in 79BC Cicero goes to “rest his voice”, aka lie low. Here he met Atticus and was introduced to some of the most important Athenians, and then went on to study a type of oratry that would define his political career for years to come.
Cicero 75 BC
Made quaestor and served in wester sicili and demonstrated honesty and integrity.
The people of Sicily asked for help for war crimes committed by Gaius Verres.
106 BC Pompey
Pompey is born
83 BC Pompey
Pompey fights under the Roman dictator Sulla, and helps him defeat Marius. He is given the pro praetorian command (83-81 BC) against Sulla’s opponents in Sicily and Africa
77 BC Pompey
command against Lepidus (uprising in Italy)
76-71 BC pompey
command against sertorius, a rogue ally of marius in spain
70 BC Pompey
made consul with crassus
What is unfair about Pompey’s position under Sulla?
He gets opportunities he shoudlnt because sulla likes him. He has never held a place in the senate before being made consul at 36, when he should have been 42. The Roman people want Pompey to win the consulship, as they love him.
60 BC Crassus
joined an informal alliance with Pompey and Caeser, the first triumvirate
56 BC Crassus
renewal of his alliance
55BC Pompey
2nd consulship with Crassus
54BC Crassus
command against the parthian empire
53 BC Crassus
killed by Parthias
Pompey and Crassus as consuls did what?
all power was returned to the tribune.
the censorship revived.
64 senators were expelled by the censors giving Pompey and Crassus the ability to fill the senate with their supporters.
Why were the Julii not as politically prominent in the beginning as they should be?
They were poor
How did the Julii get the money they needed to be politically powerful?
Marriage to gaius marius who was rich
The high priest of Jupiter, what was this office and what restrictions did it put on Caeser?
The high priest of Jupiter deidcated his life to Jupiter. He was not allowed to touch the floor, or a dead body nor a dog, he was not allowed to name a dog.
What does the event, in respect of caeser, of the pirates tell us about views of Roman prestige
caeser will always keep a promsie and defend his dignitas.
The consulship of 70 BC
Pompey and Crassus set about dismantling the last of the Sullan reforms.
Pompey’s breach of the cursus honorum.
Law courts go back to equites.
Tribunes reinstated.
The paradox of the year 70 BC?
Sulla had reinstated new regime which aimed to re establish the supremacy of the senate. What he did not want was a one man rule, yet the republic increasingly went that way.
Two of Sulla’s former men then manage to undo Sulla’s dream
How did Pompey and Crassus deal with the end of their consulship?
Pompey went under the radar and did not take any law cases or appear in public. Crassus continued his life of a recluse in luxury.
What does plutarch suggest about how Pompey feels as a private citizen?
As someone who spent a lot of time on the battle field, his status as a private citizen is difficult for him.
Who proposed the command against the pirates?
Gabinius, one of Pompey’s friends and tribune of the plebs
What were the terms of the command against the pirates?
Give Pompey absolute command over the pirates including naval command over the whole mediterraenean. Pompey is given the command after the bill is initially rejected.
How was Gabinius’s command taken by the optimates?
Rejected at first, then passed
What was the problem with the pirates?
The pirates grew more confident because no one paid attention to them. There were eventually so many pirates that they could not sent trade to Italy.
67 BC Pompey.
Pompey is named “daring of the Roman people” and is voted a special command to deal with the problem of pirates in the mediterraenean sea. He was given 2 years to solve the problem but did it in 3 months.
Pompey was granted imperium which meant he outranked everyone he came into contact with during the extend of his command.
66 BC - Lex Manilia.
Pompey
Pompey is given imperium against Mithridates king of Pantus in Asia minor. Pompey replaces an Optimate as general and is away from Rome for 4 years.
What arguments does Cicero make that war must go ahead against Mithridates?
He argues Mithridates is destroying everything that makes Rome money.
The Roman republic cannot collect revenue because Mithridates is waging war on Lucullus. The villages that make the republic money are now belonging to Mithridates. Cicero argues for sending Pompey because Mithridates is scared of him.
What was the Catilinarian conspiracy?
Lucius Sorgius Catilina (108 BC - 62 BC) was from a patrician family. He attempts to overthrow the government while Cicero is consul, and reveals the ills of the republic at the time.
Why was there a conspiracy?
Cataline ran for consul several times but never won
84 BCE Caeser
Appointed High Priest of Jupiter by Gaius Marius
82 BCE (December) Caeser
Stripped of High Priesthood by Sulla, an enemy of the Julii family, who had become Dictator of Rome following victory at the Battle of the Colline Gate (1st November)
81 BCE (from early in year)
Caeser
Served in the Roman army in Turkey
77 BCE (during the year)
Caeser
Became a lawyer for two years and gained a name for the way he attacked and defended in court
74 BCE (for two years)
Caeser
aised his own army and took part in the Third Mithridatic War
60 BCE (December)
Formed an unofficial alliance (first triumvirate) with Pompey and Crassus. In return for support Caesar would support measures that would benefit them. Cicero was offered a part of the alliance but declined
Caeser
Formed an unofficial alliance (first triumvirate) with Pompey and Crassus. In return for support Caesar would support measures that would benefit them. Cicero was offered a part of the alliance but declined
59 BCE (early)
Caeser
Arrested Cato for speaking against his Agrarian Bill
58 BCE (For a four year term)
Governor of Roman Gaul – He set about planning to conquer all of Gaul and his subsequent conquest is known as the Gallic Wars
Caeser
Governor of Roman Gaul – He set about planning to conquer all of Gaul and his subsequent conquest is known as the Gallic Wars
58 BCE (June)
Caeser
Defeated Swiss at Battle of Arar
57 BCE (during)
Caeser
Their was unrest in Rome due to several poor harvests resulting in a grain shortage. Many people blamed Caesar’s Agrarian Law. Also relations between Caesar’s allies Pompey and Crassus were becoming increasingly strained.
56 BCE (during)
Caeser
Julius Caesar faced mounting opposition especially from Clodius, Cicero, Cato, and Bibulus
53 BCE (June) Crassus
Died
52 BC Caeser
Gallic wars
51 BCE (During)
Caeser
Ordered to return to Rome unarmed by Pompey (now leader of the Senate) because his term as governor or Gaul had ended and he had to face re-election
50 BCE (During)
Caeser
Caesar requested permission from the Senate to stand for re-election while remaining in Gaul. He was reluctant to return to Rome without magistrate status fearing that he would be attacked. The Senate refused permission and demanded his return.
49 BCE (January)
Caeser
Crossed the Rubicon river with his thirteenth legion and marched on Rome. The act is taken as a move of aggression taking Rome to Civil War
49 BCE (February)
Caeser
Pompey and other senators leave Rome and head to Greece. Unfortunately they forgot to take the treasury with them.
49 BCE (March – August)
49 BCE (April – September)
Caeser
Defeated forces in Spain that were loyal to Pompey
Lay siege to Massilia (Marseille) which was loyal to Pompey. The city fell in September
48 BCE (for the year)
48 BCE (10th July)
48 BCE (9th August)
48 BCE (October)
48 BCE (October)
48 BCE (late Autumn)
Caeser
Served as Consul of Rome
Battle of Dyrrhachium against Pompey in Macedonia. Caesar forced to retreat to avoid being defeated
Battle of Pharsalus. Decisive victory over Pompey who fled to Egypt
Pursued Pompey to Egypt. Upon arrival was presented with Pompey’s head. Pompey had been assassinated late September on the orders of Ptolemy XIII who hoped this action would win the support of Caesar in his Civil War against his sister Cleopatra.
Caesar was horrified at the murder of Pompey and demanded a return of money Egypt owed to Rome. He took the city of Alexandria in Egypt for his headquarters. He also decided to back Cleopatra rather than her brother
Cleopatra joined Caesar in Alexandria and they became lovers. Ptolemy lay siege to Alexandria.
48 BCE (late Autumn)
Caeser
Cleopatra joined Caesar in Alexandria and they became lovers. Ptolemy lay siege to Alexandria.
47 BCE (Spring)
47 BCE (Spring)
47 BCE (date unknown)
Caeser
The siege of Alexandria was lifted when a large force under Mithridates of Pergamum arrived in Egypt from the North Eastern region of the Empire
Battle of the Nile. Julius Caesar was victorious against the forces of Ptolemy XIII. Ptolemy drowned in the Nile.
Cleopatra may have given birth to his son who was named Caesarion
46 BCE (for ten years)
Caeser
Appointed Dictator of Rome for ten years
44 BCE (February)
44 BCE (15th March)
Caeser
Appointed Dictator of Rome for life
Stabbed 23 times by a group of disgruntled senators.
The significance of Pompey’s eastern settlements?
His conquests served the interests of Rome, in terms of expansion, security and wealth.
The equites benefited on a grand scale.
Pompey’s return from the east?
With Pompey’s conquests coming to an end, he started to look at his interests in Rome.
A tribune names Nepos, acting for Pompey, proposed that Pompey be called back to tackle cataline and to be able to stand for consulship.
Nepos was opposed by other tribunes, and the bill thwarted by the senate.
By the end of 62, Pompey’s return to the political situation in Rome was in the balance.
Cicero thought he could use the opportunity to draw the factions together, events proved otherwise.
What are Pompey’s expectations after returning from the East?
A triumph
Ratifications of his settlements in the East
Land for his veterans
What are Pompey’s motives for his return from the East?
He sought the approval of optimates, and so he wanted a marriage alliance with Cato’s niece. Cato’s rejection underlines the suspicion of the senate and their attempts to limit power.
What was the cause of Pompey’s resistance for his return
fear of the senate of power
Caeser and Crassus as political allies?
Natural allies if not friends
problem with politics from now on (from pompey’s return from east)
People are in politics for their own interests
Crassus’s return to politics after Pompey’s Eastern conquests
In it for his own personal gain, almost certainly involved in the catalinarian conspiracy
His first step was to gain a wider clientele base as a means for bargaining chips with Pompey
The aftermath of Cicero’s consulship
concordia ordinum
co operation between the classes
a more balanced structure after Pompey’s/sulla’s reforms
more co operation against cataline
What was the rumour about Pompey and what was he going to do when he returned to Rome?
That he was going to march on Rome, disgrace everyone and create a monarchy
