Thematic Primary Sources

Question 1

Primary sources on factions (such as populares and optimates)

Answer 1

1. Cicero, pro Sestio

Question 2

Primary sources on intimidation during trials and elections

Answer 2

1. Pompey tapping his sword (source?)

Question 3

Primary sources on violence in Rome

Answer 3

1. Clodius’s mob

Question 4

Primary sources on bribery

Answer 4

1. something on crassus or caesar?

Question 5

Primary sources on corruption

Answer 5

1. Sallust op.cit. p.53, “only a few [governors] were above being bought”

Question 6

Primary sources on military commands of Pompey, Caesar, Antony or Octavian

Question 7

Primary sources on the threat of military action

Answer 7

Suetonius Pompey 14? “setting sun?”

Question 8

Primary sources on army and veteran support

Answer 8

1. Velleius Paterculus p.265, “in every war, they [provincials] were furnishing a double number of men […] yet they were not admitted to the rights of citizens”

Question 9

Primary sources on socio-economic issues of the republic

Answer 9

1. Sallust The Conspiracy of Cataline p.181, “the cruel harshness of money lenders robbed many of their homes and fortunes”
2. Sallust Jugurthine War p.78, “Tiberius and Gaius Cracchus sought to establish the liberty of the common people and expose the crimes of the oligarchy”
3. Appian The Republic p.228, “Thus certain powerful men became extremely rich and the class of slaves multipled”

Question 10

Primary sources on the role and importance of individuals in the breakdown of the Republic

Answer 10

1. Plutarch Caesar 57, “regarding the monarchy as a respite from the evils of civil wars, they appointed him dictator for life”
2. Suetonius Caesar 30, “They chose this, they would have condemned me […] had I not sought the army’s help”