The Failure of the Roman Republic

R. E. Smith attempts to explain and interpret the failure of the Roman Republic in the first century BC.

R. E. Smith (Author)

9781107642010, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 2 February 2012

210 pages
21.6 x 14 x 1.2 cm, 0.27 kg

In this 1955 study, R. E. Smith attempts to explain and interpret the failure of the Roman Republic in the first century BC, showing how the failure came about, and what its effects were upon the spirit of the society. Smith begins by assessing the character of Rome during the period 200–140 BC when its struggle with Carthage had ended and it first began to achieve dominance in the Mediterranean. He then examines the irresponsible behaviour of the Gracchi and the ensuing political disruption in Rome, which precipitated a spiritual crisis in the society and was among the primary causes of the demise of the Republic. The eventual collapse of the republican system was, as Smith contends, a failure of the spirit of Roman society, not of the government, and ultimately found its solution only in the Age of Augustus.

Preface
Part I. Rome, 200–140 B.C.: Introduction
1. The political unity
2. The social unity
3. Religion, thought and literature
4. Naevius, Ennius and Roman epic
Part II. The Consequences of Victory: 5. Foreign policy
6. Provincial policy
7. Rome and Italy
8. The problem of imperial responsibility
Part III. The Political Disruption: 9. The Gracchan intervention
10. The character of post-Gracchan history
11. The political disruption - Sulla
12. The political disruption - Pompeius and Caesar
Part IV. The Consequences of Disintegration: 13. The social consequences
14. The religious consequences
15. The Italian countryside
16. Literature and thought
Conclusion
Notes
Chronological table
Select bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Ancient history: to c 500 CE [HBLA]