Compare And Contrast Julius Caesar And Graccus

The two centuries antecedent to the Common Era were tumultuous in the world of Rome. The political realm in particular was undergoing drastic changes in the way the government ran and in the way men claimed power. In a way, the whole series of events started with the brothers Gracchi. The two brothers proposed different bills designed to help the lower classes; “Tiberius Gracchus proposed an agrarian law… Gaius Gracchus proposed a grain law.” (Cicero, Speech in Defense of Sestius, 48.103). Both of the brothers were not successful in their endeavors, and each met an unfortunate end after trying to push their reforms through. The desire for raw political power in Rome builds towards the end of the Republic and is best exemplified through Sulla

This figure is Sulla. His first violent choice against Rome was made in the year 88 BC, when he first marched on Rome, in which he was successful. Once in control of the city, “Sulla immediately prevailed upon the senate to declare a group of twelve… enemies of the state because of their violent, seditious behavior” (A Brief History of the Romans, 112). This created a precedent of its own. Namely, it “made instant outlaws of Roman citizens without any trial, and let them be hunted down and killed” (A Brief History of the Romans, 112). This theme will be seen multiple times throughout the history of Rome from then on. A few years later in 83-82 BC, Sulla marched on Rome for a second time. There was more resistance the second time around; however, Sulla is successful once again in taking the city. Then, Sulla posted his first proscription. This follows the precedent he set the last time he had taken Rome, in creating a “hit list” of sorts. Over the next few months, Sulla published a few more of these lists. Here it is seen again; ruthless killing to be rid of one’s enemies. From here, Sulla remained dictator until the end of 81 BC. Instead of pleading with the senate for change, he takes action into his own hands and ends up killing hundreds, if not

This figure is Lucius Sergius Catilina. Better known now as Catiline, he loses two races of consulships and ends up staging a revolt against the elites. When Cicero brings in a group of men that were involved in the conspiracy, a debate is started between Caesar and Cato the Younger. The results of this debate, which leads to the men being condemned without trial, follow the precedent set by early Roman history and Sulla. When recording the account of what happened in his book Bellum Catilinae, Sallust records a possible speech that Catiline may have given to rally his men. “Hence all favour, power, honour, and riches left with them or are where they want them; to us they have left the dangers, rejections, lawsuits and destitutions” (Sallust, 20.8), Catiline tells the men. His words paint a picture that would anger the men, and it works. He continues, “...what, in the end, have we left, except the pitiful breath that we breathe?” (Sallust, 20.13). In a spurring finale, he urges the men into action: “Why not, therefore, rouse yourselves? Here… lies that freedom which you have often craved, as well as riches, respect and glory!” (Sallust, 20.14). This revolt ends in a remarkable battle that leaves a large number of people dead. Although the majority of the men, including Catiline himself, are killed in battle, they again make the statement of resorting to violence to make themselves heard and