The Roman Empire

Question 1

Who blames the social crisis within the empire on land ownership and the changed use of public land?

Answer 1

Appian in his Civil Wars

Question 2

Who blames the social crisis within the empire on an excess of slave labour?

Answer 2

Plutarch

Question 3

What is the problem with our sources for the civil war periods?

Answer 3

They are writing years later and have to rely on other sources - Chinese whispers and bias

Question 4

What are the main problems with small holdings and farms?

Answer 4

Difficulty dealing with famine and drought.

Lack of money.

Question 5

What endangered the small-scale land holdings?

Answer 5

Wars and conscription.
Import of cheaper overseas corn.
Growth of the larger, wealthier states.

Question 6

What does the term ‘ager publicus’ mean?

Answer 6

A rule which allows the use of public land in return for a small share of the harvest.

Question 7

What does ‘latifundia’ mean?

Answer 7

Large estates owned by the wealthy and attended to by slaves.

Question 8

What was the issue with ‘ager publicus’?

Answer 8

The weathy took advantage and abused it.

Question 9

Who describes the issue with ‘ager publicus’?

Answer 9

Appian and Plutarch.

Question 10

What could the poor do to escape poverty?

Answer 10

Move to the city.
Join the army.
Colonization.
Join a relies cult.

Question 11

Date the slave wars.

Answer 11

1st - 135-132 BC
2nd - 104-103 BC
3rd - 73-71 BC

Question 12

What caused the slave wars?

Answer 12

Revolts against the domination of elite estates + increasing employment of slaves.

Question 13

How + why could slaves arrange a revolt?

Answer 13

They spoke the same language.
1st gen slaves.
Access to weapons to protect livestock.

Question 14

What kind of relationship did the Elites have with the poor (not slaves)?

Answer 14

They want to keep them happy, to get their votes. Helping them for their own gain.

Question 15

What does Plutarch describe Tiberius Gracchus’ origin as?

Answer 15

Members of the high Elite - Nobiles

Question 16

Who was Tiberius Gracchus?

Answer 16

A populares, and tribune from 133 BC onwards. Adopted son of Scorpio Africanus.

Question 17

Who influenced the actions of Tiberius Gracchus?

Answer 17

Questionable - his mother, Cornelia?
Philiosophers?
competing with Postumis?
Plutarch’s brother Caius = pity

Question 18

What does Plutarch, says Caius says influenced the actions of Tiberius Gracchus?

Answer 18

While marching through Tuscany, he sees the Barbarian slaves.

Question 19

What reforms does Tiberius Gracchus put into place?

Answer 19

Reaffirmation of the 500 ‘iugera’ rule (land limit).

Redistribute land to the poor.

Question 20

How does Tiberius’ reforms get passed?

Answer 20

Voted in by the plebeians.

Question 21

How did Tiberius pay for the land?

Answer 21

The king of Pergamum dies, leaving his kingdom and money to Rome.

Question 22

What does Tiberius Gracchus do that results in his assassination?

Answer 22

Gets re-elected as tribune in 133 BC - too much power!

Question 23

ho is the key figure in the assignation of Tiberius Gracchus?

Answer 23

Nasica.

Question 24

Who was Tiberius Gracchus’s brother?

Answer 24

Gaius Gracchus.

Question 25

What position does Gaius have?

Answer 25

Tribune between 123-122 BC

Question 26

How does Gaius die?

Answer 26

Runs for tribune again + is assented, along with 3000 of his supporters.

Question 27

What reforms does Gaius carry out?

Answer 27

Establishes colonies in Italy + Carthage.
Depose certain magistrates.
Give people more power in court cases.
Centuriae drawn by lot.
Latins get citizenship.

Question 28

What laws does Gaius Gracchus pass?

Answer 28

Agrarian law.
State purchase of grain.
State provides armour.