Year 12 Exam

Question 1

Essay Plan: How did the Gracchi interfere with the Power and Authority of the Senate

Answer 1

1. Tiberius Lex Agraria bypassed the Senate
2. Gaius’ Reforms
3. They both transformed the Tribunate for their gain (would be used by both Gaius and Marius)

Question 2

Essay Plan: What were Gaius’ Reforms and how did they undermine the power and authority of the Senate?

Answer 2

1. Lex Frumentaria 123BCE: State buys up grain supplies which are distributed at a loss.
2. Lex Acilia 123BCE: Court of extortion senators to be replaced by equites.
3. Italian/Latin Franchise 122BCE: Would allow latin and italian allies voting rights. Did not get through which pissed them off to a degree that they would take it for themselves in 90 BCE (Social War).

Question 3

Essay Plan: Explain how Marius’ military reforms changed the relationship between the general and his troops and examine the influence this had on Roman politics and/or society.

Answer 3

1. Recruitment: Landless poor signed for 16 years and were payed by commander as Senate refused.
2. Organisation: Old organisation tactics done away with and the legions were divided more efficiently with better leadership. This meant that not only were they more efficient, but the troops developed a special loyalty to their legion
3. Equipment: As well as changes in the actual weaponry, the soldiers were to carry their own equipment, meaning that they were faster and could defend themselves better.

Question 4

Short Answer: Explain two methods which helped Marius win his first consulship.

Answer 4

FIRST CONSULSHIP IN 107 BCE

1. In 111 he made a very good political marriage with Julia, who came from the patrician family of the Caesars. This brought him nearer to power and allowed him to make a name for himself.
2. He gained the support of soldiers by fighting alongside them in Jugurtha and criticised Metellus for prolonging the war; he promised peace if he were in command.

Question 5

Short Answer: Outline the cause and Impact of Sullas First March on Rome

Answer 5

• Sullas first march in 88 after being forced out due to violence erupting in the senate after sulpicius transferred mithridatic command to Marius.
• Was significant as it was the first time a commander had ever marched on the city, as a commander was not allowed within the cities boundaries under imperium.
• Would set a precedent followed by Marius, himself, Pompey and Caesar, tho it became more diplomatic as it developed from violence to merely a threat of violence.

Question 6

Short Answer: Outline the terms of the lex Gabinia and explain why the command conferred by this law was extraordinary.

Answer 6

1. The Lex Gabinia would allow Pompey to ‘drive the pirates off the seas’ after the corn trade was under threat. Proposed by Gabinius in 67, it would allow Pompey 3 year imperium in the Mediterranean and fifty miles inland. The people allowed much more and he was granted 500 ships and 120k troops. He did it in 3 months
2. Typically, command was only given for one year with limited funds and personell. This command was extraordinary as it gave him three years and unlimited funds to complete his mission.

Question 7

Essay: Describe and discuss the formation of the First Triumvirate. Consider the short- and long-term consequences of the creation of the First Triumvirate in your answer

Answer 7

1. First Triumvirate: Between Caesar, Crassus and Pompey (60-53). Aim: to combine forces to establish and maintain power in the short term and to satisfy the political and military goals of the Triumvirs.This was not legally constituted alliance, but a secret amicitia - friendship“ Essentially a private and at first secret agreement to work together for their mutual political advantage” (Scullard, Pg 163)
2. Short Term: Caesar was given the province of Cisalpine Gaul and Transalpine Gaul for 5 years. Lots of potential to make money/war - Pompey received Lex Campagnia which gave land to his veterans and ratification of eastern arrangements - Crassus received a rebate of 1/3rd of the contract price for his equestrian tax farmers and also command against the Parthians2) “Three men, backed by armed force, by the urban populace and by many of the Equites, imposed their will on the State and destroyed the power of the Senate.” - Scullard
3. Long Term: “It’s results were to bring ruin to the city, the world, and even, at different times, to each of the three men.”- Paterculus “Its formation was a turning point in the history of the Free State, and it was, as both Cicero and Cato recognised, the ultimate origin of the civil war of 49BCE”- Scullard

Question 8

Essay: Why’d they kill Caesar?

Answer 8

1. Concentration of Power: Dictator in perpetuity in 44 (main reason). Pontifus Maximus, Princeps
2. Monopolisation of Military Prestige: Denied the elites their traditional domain of display
3. To rid rome of a tyrant: Brutus and his companions believed that he was a tyrant for the above reasons, and after his murder, they burst into the capitol and declared ‘people of rome, we are once again free’
4. Three Final Straws:
   A) Ceasar did not stand in the Temple of Venus Genetix when senators bestowed awards.
   B) Tribunes Marrulus and Flavus suspected to place and remove crown from Caesar on the Rostra. Caesar had them removed.
   C) Antony placed diadem on statue, and on Caesar. People believed that Caesar had this ordered to grasp popularity of his kingship.

Question 9

Essay: Breakdown of the Second Triumvirate

Answer 9

CREATED IN 43 BETWEEN ANTONY LEPIDUS AND OCTAVIUS

1. Octavius: Octavians military prestige was too much for antny and lepidus and his association with Agrippa was bound to produce confluct.
2. Antony: His relations with Cleopatra enabled his collapse. He married Cleo and gifted her a signifcant portion of Roman territory. He celebrated his 34 triumph in Alexandria and sat on gold thrones. DOnations of Alexandria tipped it over the edge as he bequethed more land and declared gave titles to Cleopatras children. All of this opened him to criticism.
3. Lepidus/Cleopatra: Lepidus ignored Octavians plea, and attempted to take over Sicily in 37 but his men mutinied and he was deposed from triumvirate and troops absorbed by Octavian. Cleopatra was blamed with coercing Antony but realistically, he was dumb.