Topic 2: Reform, Crisis and Violence

How the Gracchi brothers sparked a century of civil war (133-78 BC)

H408/33 - Politics of the Late Republic

By the end of this topic, you will be able to:

Analyse how the Gracchi brothers pioneered popularis politics and triggered violent political conflict
Evaluate Marius's military reforms and their impact on Republican institutions
Assess Sulla's dictatorship as both a reaction to popularis politics and a precedent for autocracy
Understand how reform movements created the factional divisions that would destroy the Republic
Explain the escalation from constitutional competition to civil war and proscription

2.1

The Gracchi Brothers

Explore how Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus created popularis politics and triggered the first political violence in the Forum.

Covers: Land crisis, lex Sempronia agraria, deposition of Octavius, grain law, judicial reforms, political murder, senatus consultum ultimum

Start Topic 2.1

2.2

Marius and Military Reform

Examine how Marius transformed the Roman army and created the first professional soldiers loyal to generals rather than the state.

Covers: Novus homo rise, Jugurthine War, Cimbri and Teutones, military reforms, veteran loyalty, consulships, popularis methods

Start Topic 2.2

2.3

Sulla's Dictatorship

Analyse how Sulla's march on Rome and bloody dictatorship established precedents for civil war and autocratic rule.

Covers: March on Rome, Social War, Mithridatic War, proscription lists, constitutional reforms, abdication, legacy for Caesar

Start Topic 2.3

133 BC
Tiberius Gracchus killed - first political murder in Forum

121 BC
Gaius Gracchus dies - 3,000 supporters executed

107-86 BC
Marius's seven consulships and military reforms

88 BC
Sulla's first march on Rome with legions

82-79 BC
Sulla's dictatorship and proscription terror

salve! 👋