How Did Pompey Contribute To The Fall Of The Roman Republic

To a significant extent, Sulla, Pompey and Cicero were individuals who allowed situations to occur which led to the fall of the republic. The fall of the Roman republic was more than a single man. It was a culmination of several individual actions, coupled with social conditions that were weighted heavily on Roman society. Though powerful individuals contributed to the fall of the republic, it was not successful in preventing the fall of the republic however, it has significantly maintained control of Rome for an adequate period of time. This is most apparent through Sulla substantial amount of power to increase the power of the senate and gave rise to individuals, also through Pompey’s formation of the first triumvirate with Crassus and Cicero.

Sulla involvement within Rome significantly impacted the fall of the roman republic, through his reform in the cursus honorum and his military exploits. Sulla was an optimae who was the first man to march on Rome in 88 BC who sought his support from the conservatives within the nobility. Sulla career had a lasting impact on the political developments of the late republic. His lasting impact is evident through the climate of discord between Marius, which was a major concern for successful military commanders as he brought open violence to the streets of Rome, using threats and attacks to remove those loyal to his rivals. This is evident as Appain states “ He seems to have made such as a formal list of those whom he condemned to death, to offer prizes to assassins and rewards to informers”, thus this source shows Sulla ruthless act to slaughter anyone listed on the proscription list in sides with his oppositions, the Marians. As a result, as a conservative supporter of the imperial system like Sulla, Appian source is

The alliance combined Caesar’s enormous popularity and legal reputation with Crassus’s fantastic wealth and influence and Pompey’s equally spectacular wealth and military reputation. The formation of the first triumvirate was critical due to the fact “ it’s formation was the turning point in the history of the free state” (Scullard), which determined the fate of the republic declining. The effect of Scullard sources is resource efficient and reliable as he heightens our understanding about the military and political happenings of the time. When Crassus died after the battle of Carrhae, Pompey gradually drifted with his alliance with Caesar. Caesar’s popularity with the people soared, presenting a threat to the power of the senate and to Pompey. Caesar eventually defeated Pompey and was the sole rule of Rome, thus tried reforming every aspect of the people’s life. As a result, Caesar ruling as a dictator significantly contributed to the fall of the Roman republic as Rome was no longer a republic but a