The Roman Republic Army in 100 BC
Humanities
Answer ONE of the following questions , writing roughly 3 1/2-5 pages for your answer. Your submissions should be 12pt font double spaced. Use both of your textbooks (as well as any files/lectures provided on Canvas) to answer the question (if you are using any other outside sources, make sure that they are academic/peer-reviewed ones). Use your own words, and make sure to cite your sources.
In text citation is to be MLA style, i.e. (Boatwright 2011, 52). Assignments that do not have in-text citation as well as a Works Cited page will receive a “0” grade. Your submission must use at least two (2) secondary sources (i.e. articles/textbooks of an academic caliber) and one (1) primary source (i.e. a source written at the time such as Livy, Caesar, Polybius, etc.).
- Discuss the military problems faced by the Roman Republic in the last two decades of the 100s BC? How were some in the Senatorial aristocracy complicit in these problems? How did Gaius Marius reform the Army and depart from the traditional political system to resolve these problems? Were Marius’ actions good or bad for the Republic? Indeed, was Marius always good for the Republic?
- Discuss the position of the tribune of the plebs from Gaius Gracchus to Sulpicius (i.e. Gaius Gracchus, Saturninus, Drusus the Younger, and Sulpicius). Could these men be seen as popular politicians, tools of larger powers, self-seeking demagogues, or a mix of the three?
- Discuss the causes and course of the dictatorship of Lucius Cornelius Sulla (82-79). What were the reforms carried out by Sulla as dictator, and why do you think he initiated these kinds of reforms?
READINGS FOR PAPER:
Romans: From Village to Empire by Boatwright
