The Gracchi

146  End of 3d Punic War
  Sack of Corinth in Greece

Tiberius & Gaius Sempronius Gracchus

• Grandsons of Scipio Africanus
• Cousins of Scipio Aemilianus (conqueror of  Carthage)

123-2  Gaius Gracchus tribune
  Free grain distribution
  Legal & other reforms
  Citizenship for Italians proposed
121  Gaius not re-elected, leads revolt

Senatus consultum ultimum ("ultimate decree"): "Consuls to see that state is not harmed"

Marius & Sulla

112/104  Jugurthine War (vs. Jugurtha)

C. Marius (c. 157-86)

• "New Man" (novus homo) and popularis
• Consul 6 times between 107-100
• Professionalizes army; develops legion
• Loss of influence after 100

L. Cornelius Sulla (c. 138-78)

• Marius' quaestor in Jugurthine War
• Champion of senatorial optimates

After Sulla: The Sixties

Cn. Pompeius Magnus (= Pompey) (106-48)
M. Licinius Crassus (115-53)

73/2  Spartacus revolt crushed by Crassus
70   Crassus & Pompey consuls
  Sullan reforms revoked
67-3  Pompey beats pirates, Mithridates

M. Porcius Cato "the Younger" (95-46)

• Grandson of Cato the Elder
• Leader of conservatives in Senate

• Orator & "New Man"
• Prosecution of Verres, 70 BC
• Speeches, philosophy, letters

• Loser in consular elections for 63
• Dissolute aristocrat

Crisis & Civil War: 59-44

C. Julius Caesar (100-44)

• Nephew of Marius's wife
• popularis in politics
• Military career
• Pontifex maximus (= high priest) (63 -)

60  so-called "First Triumvirate"
59 Caesar consul
 Pompey marries Julia (daughter of Caes.)
58 Caesar begins conquest of Gaul
55 Crassus & Pompey consuls
54 Julia dies
53  Crassus killed in Parthia
49  Caesar crosses Rubicon
 Pompeians flee to east
48 Battle of Pharsalus in N. Greece
 Pompey murdered in Egypt
46 Cato the Younger defeated in N. Africa

Caesar as "Perpetual Dictator"

• 'Julian' Calendar
• Building projects; Forum Julium
• Government reforms