Legacy of Sulla
Activities and Breakdown of the First Triumvirate
Optimates and Populare
Caesar and Pompey: Civil War
Political Crises in the Late Republic
100

A brutal campaign of state-sanctioned murder and property confiscation

What are proscriptions?

100

The First Triumvirate consisted of Caesar, Crassus, and this prestigious Roman. 

Who is Pompey?

100

This political faction sought to preserve the traditional authority of the aristocracy.

Who were the Optimates?

100

This former ally became Pompey's chief opponent during the Civil War.

Who is Julius Caesar?

100

This group increasingly looked to powerful generals rather than the state for rewards and security.

Who were veterans?

200

Sulla's proscriptions were lists of people marked for this fate.

What is execution (or death/confiscation)?

200

This informal political alliance was formed in 60 BC.

What is the First Triumvirate?

200

This political faction appealed directly to the Roman people for support.

Who were the Populares?

200

The Senate ordered Caesar to surrender this before returning to Rome.

What is his army (or military command)?

200

Clodius and Milo became notorious for using this method to influence politics.

What is urban violence?

300

Sulla increased the number of members in this governing body to strengthen aristocratic control.

What is the Senate?

300

Caesar gained military prestige and wealth through his conquest of this region.

What is Gaul

300

This reformer and his brother became symbols of popularis politics in the second century BC.

Who is Gaius Graccchus?

300

Pompey's political support largely came from this conservative faction.

Who were the Optimates?

300

This military reform is often linked to the growth of personal loyalty between soldiers and generals.

What are the Marian Reforms?

400

Sulla became the first Roman leader to march this force on Rome itself.

What is the army?

400

The death of this member at Carrhae weakened the alliance significantly.

Who is Crassus?

400

This political institution was frequently used by populares to bypass senatorial opposition.

What is the Tribal Assembly (or Popular Assembly)?

400

Following the death of Crassus, this connection between Caesar and Pompey was no longer able to help maintain their alliance.

What is the marriage alliance through Julia (or the marriage of Pompey and Julia)?

400

This event in 52 BC demonstrated the extent to which urban violence had destabilised Roman politics, leading to Pompey being appointed sole consul.

What is the murder of Clodius (or the Clodius–Milo conflict)?

500

Historians often argue that Sulla's most significant legacy was establishing this dangerous precedent that weakened the Republic.

What is the use of military force to gain political power (or marching on Rome)?

500

This river became a symbol of Caesar's challenge to senatorial authority in 49 BC.

What is the Rubicon?

500

This key issue divided optimates and populares in their approach to governing Rome.

What is the source of political authority (Senate vs the people)?

500

This Senate decree of January 49 BC declared Caesar an enemy of the state unless he surrendered his command, helping trigger the Civil War.

What is the Senatus Consultum Ultimum?

500

This political office was granted to Pompey without a colleague in 52 BC as a response to disorder in Rome.  

What is sole consul?

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