What was the problem between the rich and the poor?
Most people in Rome were Patricians, or rich people with alot of land. They ran the Senate. The rich farmers were taking advantage of Italy's invasion, using the slaves to tend to their crops, making more money. All of the Plebeian farmers, or the not rich people, could not compete with them. Farmers were sinking into poverty and debt. Why was this? Because most were fighting in Rome's war, while some had damage due to Italy's Invasion.
how did julius caesar become famous? |
Why did the army enter politics?Matters only worsened as the Roman Army took on a new role. Until now, the army had mostly stayed out of government affairs. Things changed when a military leader names Marius became Consul in 107 BCE. Previously, most soldiers were owners of small farms. Now because this type of farmer was disappearing, Marius began to recruit soldiers from the poor. In return for their service, he paid them wages and promised them the one thing they wanted desperately, land. Marius changed the Roman army from citizen volunteers to professional soldiers. The new troops, however, were motivated by Material rewards rather than sense of duty. They felt loyal to their General, not to the Republic. This gave individual generals a great deal of influence and good reason to become involved in politics. They needed to get laws passed that would provide land they has promised their soldiers. Marius's new Military system led to new power struggles. It was not long before Marius faced a challenge from a rival general with his own army, a man named Sulla. In 82 BCE Sulla drove his enemies out of Rome and made himself dictator. Over the next 3 years, Sulla changed the government. He weakened the Council of Plebs and strengthened the Senate. Then he stepped down from office. He hoped that the Roman Republic could heal its wounds and recapture its glory. Instead, Rome plunged into an era of civil wars for the next 50 years. Ambitious men saw how Sulla used an army to seize power. They decided to follow the same path.
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