The Breakdown of the Roman Republic
From Oligarchy to Empire

In this book, Christopher S. Mackay recounts the last century of the Roman Republic in a readable narrative treatment.

Christopher S. Mackay (Author)

9780521518192, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 24 August 2009

462 pages
23.6 x 16 x 3 cm, 0.8 kg

Review of the hardback: '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 [in] every university and public library collection. Bravo.' Bryn Mawr Classical Review

In this book, Christopher S. 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 led to the demise of the Roman Republic.

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.

Subject Areas: Coins, banknotes, medals, seals [numismatics WCF], Political leaders & leadership [JPHL], Political ideologies [JPF], Classical history / classical civilisation [HBLA1], Ancient history: to c 500 CE [HBLA], European history [HBJD]