History of Rome, Reading Guide Civil Unrest I

1 History of Rome, Reading Guide: Week of March 5th: Civil Unrest I This week we have finally reached the first breaking point of the Roman Republic. Your Plutarch readings will focus on several of the key figures in the civil unrest and violence that starts to take over Rome from 133 BC on. As you read each of these biographies of the early players in Rome’s civil unrest, ask yourself the following questions: 1) What motivates the violence that starts to emerge in Rome’s politics? Are there justifiable reasons for each of the actions taken or not? Could you see yourself making the same decisions under the same circumstances? 2) What are the sides that emerge in the fighting and how are they described? How do the key players align themselves with or against each other? 4) At the same time, remember to ask yourself what Plutarch’s point of view is on these same questions. Does Plutarch pick a side? *As usual, pick out specific examples or passages as you think about your answers.* More specific questions to guide each individual reading: 1) For Monday, you will read about the brothers Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus, the first Romans to be killed in civil violence (Plut. Makers 153-93). They were good, noble Roman youths, the sons of a great statesman, Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus and his wife, the most well-known and well-respected Roman matron, Scipio Africanus’ daughter Cornelia Africana. -What are the main proposals brought forth by Tib. and C. Gracchus? -Were these proposals realistic? -Why did they get killed? 2) For Wednesday, you’ll be reading about Gaius Marius, a “new man” with no history of political office in his family. He worked his way from his position as a regular soldier to the most powerful man at Rome—holding SEVEN consecutive consulships and completely re-organizing the army (Plut. Fall 3-55). -Compare and contrast Marius’ career with that of the Gracchi: do you see similar objectives and methods? -What were Marius’ reforms, and what troubles do they foreshadow? -Do you think that Plutarch sympathizes with Marius? Why? 2 3) For Friday, you’ll read about Marius’ great rival: Lucius Cornelius Sulla, a nobleman from a famous family with lots of political capitol. He sets himself up as dictator in Rome and re-invents the Roman constitution, after slaughtering all those who might oppose him… (Plut. Fall 56-104) How does Plutarch describe the personality of Sulla? In light of what happened afterwards, do you think that his bloody and extreme measures were necessary? Or was his use of violence counterproductive? In other words: if you wanted to argue that Sulla was a savior of Rome, how would you do it? And if you wanted to argue that he was the worst and most corrosive influence yet on Rome, how would you do it? Does Plutarch take a side?