The Breakdown of the Roman Republic: From Oligarchy to Empire

by Christopher S. Mackay

Overview

In this book, Christopher Mackay recounts the last century of the Roman Republic in a readable, narrative treatment. Within this narrative he analyzes the breakdown of the traditional Republican form of government as a result of the administrative and political crises brought about by the Roman conquest of the Mediterranean basin in the Middle Republic. He also shows how the many reforms instituted by Augustus, which effectively created the new imperial form of government, were a reaction to the failings of the Republic. Illustrated with an extensive collection of coin images that document the changes in contemporary political ideology, this volume also focuses on the political significance of the key personalities, including Marius, Sulla, and Caesar, who played a large role in the events that lead to the demise of the Roman Republic.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781107657021
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	06/18/2012
Series:	Reprint
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	502
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.18(d)

About the Author

Christopher S. Mackay is a professor in the Department of History and Classics at the University of Alberta.

Table of Contents

Introduction; 1. Historical background; 2. Tribunate of Ti. Gracchus; 3. Tribunates of C. Gracchus; 4. Numidia, senatorial failures, and the rise of C. Marius; 5. Ascendancy of C. Marius; 6. The Italian allies, M. Livius Drusus, and the social war; 7. Sulla, Marius, and civil war; 8. Roman territorial expansion before the First Mithridatic War; 9. First Mithridatic War; 10. Sulla's victory in civil war; 11. Sulla's settlement; 12. The 70s BC: attacks on the Sullan regime and the rise of Pompey; 13. Third Mithridatic War, war with the pirates, and the ascendancy of Pompey; 14. The 60s BC: Rome in the absence of Pompey; 15. Consulship of Cicero; 16. Consulship of C. Caesar; 17. Caesar in Gaul; 18. Last decade of the free Republic; 19. Civil war and Caesar's victory; 20. Caesar's domination and assassination; 21. Turmoil after the Ides of March; 22. Struggle of the warlords; 23. Final showdown; 24. The Augustan settlement and the 'restored' republic.

Editorial Reviews

"Christopher S. Mackay has written an exemplary and noteworthy account of the late Roman Republic's transition from oligarchy to empire. ...a popular masterpiece that will please all but the most ardent admirers of Cicero and the most diehard of populares. His work deserves a place on every university and public library collection. Bravo." —BMCR

From the Publisher