How Did Fulvia Influence The Roman Republic

The Roman Republic was a symbolic period (509 BCE – 27 BCE) that introduced the basis of modern-day democracy, which systems can still be similarly seen today in western politics. The republic was one the first known systems that allowed people, including their plebs, to vote for their government officials, with complex systems that attempt to allow fairness within the elections and systems. Eventually after the rise and fall of Julius Caesar and many more contributing factors, the republic broke down in 27 BCE as Octavian took control of Rome as an emperor. An aristocratic Roman woman, Fulvia, most famous for her activities whilst married to Mark Antony and brutal reputation, whose three husbands had quite the political influence in their

Fulvia’s efforts greatly contributed to the breakdown of the Roman republic. Fulvia had three politically significant husbands, who many historians including Plutarch, have stated that she greatly influenced them in their time of power using sexual interest and her cruel nature, her most important husband in relation to the downfall of the republic being Mark Antony, ally of Caesar and rival of Octavian. Fulvia consistently challenged traditional Roman standards of women, this can be greatly seen through her feud with Cicero, who has multiple statements concerning Fulvia, and her subsequential reputation of cruelness towards him. Fulvia did not just lead from behind her husbands, as before the end of the republic, she sparked a war against Octavian with her half-brother, no reason being entirely confirmed. Her actions behind the scenes and in front of armies have contributed greatly to the breakdown of the Roman

The republic introduced one of the first known systems of democracy that allowed people, including plebs, to vote for their government officials, with as much equity as possible at the time. However, like any political system, it had cracks in the intricate system which eventually led to its downfall. Fulvia, most famously known as the wife of Mark Antony, continuously challenged the republic throughout her life using her political intelligence and tenacity which curated her ruthless reputation. It is evident through Fulvia’s actions behind the scenes of her husbands’ campaigns as well as her military campaigns in which she was openly organising, that Fulvia had a significant impact on the downfall of the republic through her defiance against the senate and her role as a woman, as well as displaying the weaknesses of the senate to the public, multiple times throughout her career. Many ancient historians have commented on Fulvia, including Plutarch, Cassius Dio, and Appian, all discussing her impact on several civil wars in Rome including her war against Octavian, the Perusine war. There are also multiple insulting statements about Fulvia from both Octavian and Cicero, proving her impact in infuriating the powerful men of the republic. Overall, it has been proven that Fulvia, despite being an ancient Roman woman, had an immense effect on the downfall of the Roman republic, even without