History IV

Chapter 30
pp. 26-29

Deadly struggles within the Roman

20 pts total Republic
The Gracchi, Marius, Sulla & Pompey
score: _____
the Great
Read pages 26-29 in your textbook and answer the following questions.

1. Why did conflicts begin to erupt between the populares and the optimates in the 1st
century BC? What might the Roman Senate have done to solve the conflict? Think of 2
possible solutions. (3 pts)

2. How did Tiberius Gracchus attempt to undermine the Senate? Why did he have
support from the popular assembly? How did his political opponents deal with him? (3 pts)

3. How did Gaius Sempronius Gracchus continue and extend his brother’s political agenda?
What effect did these maneuvers have on the aristocratic Senate? Why do you think his
agenda provoked so much physical violence in Rome? Your textbook is not very clear about
his death - why do you think he committed suicide? (4 pts)

4. Marius was a novus homo – what did this mean? Why would this category be a threat to
the aristocracy? (2 pts)

5. Who supported Marius and why? (1 pt)

 History IV
Chapter 30
pp. 26-29
6. Why do you think Marius and his followers were so violent? (1 pt)

7. Sulla switched sides, going from a supporter of Marius to his most brutal enemy. Why
do you suppose Sulla became Marius’ “greatest rival”? What motivations did he have? (2
pts)

8. What were proscriptions and why do you suppose they made Rome and Italy an unstable
place? (2 pts)

9. How did Sulla’s actions reverse the legacy of the Gracchi? Why would this be a
significant victory for the aristocrats? (2 pts)

10. How did Pompey begin to build his power base? On whose side was he? How did
Pompey’s military brilliance provide safety for Rome and also serve to enlarge the Roman
Empire? (3 pts)

Anyone with a knowledge of Roman history at the end of the Republic must know the terms
populares and optimates. These were not political parties per se, but rather descriptions of how a
Roman politician would build his base of power.

Optimates were politicians who exercised power in traditional ways, through the recognized
channels of the senate and magisterial offices. An optimate would appeal to his peers in the upper
classes to strengthen his position.

Populares were politicians who sought to exercise their influence, not through the senate and
magistrates as was traditional, but through appeals directly to the Roman people. They often used
the office of tribune, an office specifically created to represent the plebs, and proposed reforms
that would benefit the lower classes.

11. Were these political figures considered Populares or Optimates? (2 pts)

a. Marius -

b. Sulla -
 History IV
Chapter 30
pp. 26-29

c. Tiberius Gracchus & Gaius Sempronius Gracchus –

d. Gnaeus Pompeius -