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Tiberus and Gaius Gracchus, two brothers and populist tribunes, proposed land reforms to redistribute wealth to the poor. Both were killed, leading to social tension. Their deaths marked the start of political violence in Rome and highlighted the growing divide between the plebians and the patricians. -
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Gaius Marius is elected consul, and reforms the army, recruting landless citizens. -
Marius is re-elected consul multiple times, consolidating his power with his loyal army. -
Julius Caesar was born on July 12 or 13, 100 BCE, in Rome into a prominent and influential family. His lineage claimed descent from the goddess Venus, a connection he later used to enhance his political image. -
Significance: A conflict between Rome and it's Italian allies over the issue of Roman Citizenship. What happened: Rome's Italian allies revolted, leading to a war that resulted in Rome granting citizenship to many of the italian states to secure loyalty and manpower. -
Significance: It marked the first time a Roman general led his army into Rome, setting a precedant for military intervention in politics. What happened: Lucius Corneilias Sulla marched his legions into Rome to assert his command against Gaius Marius, leading to Marius' temporary exile. -
Sulla leaves Rome to fight Mithridates; Marius seizes power but dies shortly after in 86 BCE -
Significane: A power struggle that led to Sulla becoming dictator and implementing constitutional reforms to strengthen the Senate's authority. What happened: Sulla returned from campaigns in the east, defeated by the Marian forces, and initiated proscriptions against his enemies. -
82 BCE - Sulla defeats his enemies and becomes dictator. 81 BCE - Sulla initiates proscriptions, targeting his political enemies. Caesar is targeted but spared due to his youth and family connections. 79 BCE - Sulla voluntarily retires from dictatorship 78 BCE - Sulla dies. -
Significance: It was the most important slave uprising against the Roman Republic. What happened: Led by gladiator Spartacus, the rebellion was eventually surpressed by Marcus Licinius Crassus, bolstering his political career. -
78 BCE - Sulla's death leaves a powe vacuum, leading to renewed political instability. 73-71 BCE - Spartacus slave revolt. 70 BCE - Pompey and Crassus are elected consuls, beginning their political careers that would later intersect Caesar's rise.