The Roman Empire Flashcards
Who blames the social crisis within the empire on land ownership and the changed use of public land?
Appian in his Civil Wars
Who blames the social crisis within the empire on an excess of slave labour?
Plutarch
What is the problem with our sources for the civil war periods?
They are writing years later and have to rely on other sources - Chinese whispers and bias
What are the main problems with small holdings and farms?
Difficulty dealing with famine and drought.
Lack of money.
What endangered the small-scale land holdings?
Wars and conscription.
Import of cheaper overseas corn.
Growth of the larger, wealthier states.
What does the term ‘ager publicus’ mean?
A rule which allows the use of public land in return for a small share of the harvest.
What does ‘latifundia’ mean?
Large estates owned by the wealthy and attended to by slaves.
What was the issue with ‘ager publicus’?
The weathy took advantage and abused it.
Who describes the issue with ‘ager publicus’?
Appian and Plutarch.
What could the poor do to escape poverty?
Move to the city.
Join the army.
Colonization.
Join a relies cult.
Date the slave wars.
1st - 135-132 BC
2nd - 104-103 BC
3rd - 73-71 BC
What caused the slave wars?
Revolts against the domination of elite estates + increasing employment of slaves.
How + why could slaves arrange a revolt?
They spoke the same language.
1st gen slaves.
Access to weapons to protect livestock.
What kind of relationship did the Elites have with the poor (not slaves)?
They want to keep them happy, to get their votes. Helping them for their own gain.
What does Plutarch describe Tiberius Gracchus’ origin as?
Members of the high Elite - Nobiles
Who was Tiberius Gracchus?
A populares, and tribune from 133 BC onwards. Adopted son of Scorpio Africanus.
Who influenced the actions of Tiberius Gracchus?
Questionable - his mother, Cornelia?
Philiosophers?
competing with Postumis?
Plutarch’s brother Caius = pity
What does Plutarch, says Caius says influenced the actions of Tiberius Gracchus?
While marching through Tuscany, he sees the Barbarian slaves.
What reforms does Tiberius Gracchus put into place?
Reaffirmation of the 500 ‘iugera’ rule (land limit).
Redistribute land to the poor.
How does Tiberius’ reforms get passed?
Voted in by the plebeians.
How did Tiberius pay for the land?
The king of Pergamum dies, leaving his kingdom and money to Rome.
What does Tiberius Gracchus do that results in his assassination?
Gets re-elected as tribune in 133 BC - too much power!
ho is the key figure in the assignation of Tiberius Gracchus?
Nasica.
Who was Tiberius Gracchus’s brother?
Gaius Gracchus.
What position does Gaius have?
Tribune between 123-122 BC
How does Gaius die?
Runs for tribune again + is assented, along with 3000 of his supporters.
What reforms does Gaius carry out?
Establishes colonies in Italy + Carthage. Depose certain magistrates. Give people more power in court cases. Centuriae drawn by lot. Latins get citizenship.
What laws does Gaius Gracchus pass?
Agrarian law.
State purchase of grain.
State provides armour.
