The Slide to Civil War Flashcards
Luca - 56 BC
Caesar convinces Pompey and Crassus to renew the triumvirate
New deal: Delay consular elections for 55, Caesar’s veterans enure election of Pompey and Crassus, big commands for all three, Clodius and Cicero get along
Remainder of 56 bc
Cato (not younger) and Clodius prevent elections via violence and intimidation.
Crassus and Pompey elected in early 55 via violence
A new era?
Pompey and Crassus are consus for 55.
They pass laws: lex iudiciaria (juries), lex de sodaliciis (bribery), sumptuary law (extravagance) + big commands
The commands
All commands passed by violence
Pompey gets Spain
Crassus gets Syria
Caesar gets five more years in Gaul
Forum Lulium
New public space for Rome, necessary for increased number of trials and courts
Theatre of Caesar
Planning for the future? Eliminating Sullan legacy?
Escalation of political problems
Consuls finally elected for 53 bc.
Clodius delays candidacy for praetorship to aim for 52. T Annius Milo stands for consulship in 52
Death of Clodius 52 bc
Milo and Clodius meet on the via Appia outside Bovillae.
Gangs clash, Clodius stabbed to death by gladiators
He gets cremated in the senate house
Clodius’ popularity
Free grain for Roman people Pushed for freedmen rights Independent politician Attacked optimate politicians Only popular in Rome
Sole consul of Rome
Pompey made sole consul by senate
He brings in troops to restore order
He appoints Ahenobarbus to hold trials for bribery and violence
Cicero defends Milo
Caesar’s command - the debate
Marcellus, consul of 51, introduces debate.
Caesar leaves command on the Ides of November
Both Caesar and Pompey resign commands at same time
Voted on in senate - 370 votes for proposal 22 against
49 bc
Caesar declared public enemy
Caesar crosses the Rubicon
‘iacta alea est’
