Pompey

In the first century BC, Roman military commander Julius Caesar, engendered by his obsession with complete supremacy and glory, rose to prominence in the Roman political scene by manipulating those who surrounded him, ultimately reorientating the structure of Roman governance permanently. Born into Roman nobility, Caesar initially gained power by taking advantage of the Roman political climate with both his military and oratory skills. Gradually, by way of a series of calculative political moves, Caesar not only furthered his status but also ensured the longevity of his final position of dictator in Rome. However, his tenure as perpetual dictator was halted by his assassination in 44 BC, the result of several years of abusive control and rule.

Pompey The Great Pompey was a Roman general and political leader. He was a member of the first Triumvirate with Julius Caesar and Marcus Crassus, but later became Caesar's enemy. Pompey was born September 30, 106 B.C. His first important military experiences were in the Social war during which his father Pompeius Strabo, taught Pompey his military skills. Pompey distinguished himself in the civil war between Lucies Sulla and Gaius Marius.

Gaius Octavius Thurinus (better known as Augustus) was the man who would turn the Roman Republic into an Autocracy, ruled by one man: Himself. It is true that Augustus built the Roman Empire around himself, and refurbished Rome for the better however, he achieved his title Imperator through rather questionable means. He emerged as emperor by defeating people who were once allies, he forced Marc Antony to be exiled to Gaul successfully defeating him as a rival, and he also had many supporters and was extremely popular. Augustus was said to be quite cruel in his younger years when he was known only as Octavian, but becoming much milder later in his life but was always ready to use brutality wherever needed. Augustus was the one to fix the mistakes

Then, he gave supreme power to the office of emperor so that he could reorganize Roman territory (Stevenson). This period of unrest and civil wars marked the transition of Rome from a republic to an empire. Rome began to prosper once again, and the emperor came to be looked upon as a god (Imperial Rome). Caius Verres was a Roman administrator that held a variety of posts before serving as governor of Sicily from 73 to 71 B.C. He was known for his corruption and ability to fo... ... middle of paper ... ...orks Cited 1.

This command was bestowed upon Sulla both because of the Senate 's fear of Marius as well as his recent superiority as commander. The senate 's decision was not to stand unopposed. After various political crises Marius, through the hands of the tribune Publius Sulpicius Rufus usurped Sulla 's position of Commander. This led to the first march on Rome, an event entirely unprecedented. Sulla upon hearing of Marius replacing him as commander marched six legions across the pomoerium or city limits of Rome.

The Senate was afraid and jealous of his power and they were worried he might plan to make himself king of Rome. Needless to say, the Senate wanted to save the republic and so they went against him. Julius Caesar became corrupt because he was too powerful, the Senate was jealous, and his actions posed a threat. Julius Caesar was a brilliant politician and a military genius that was brighter and more capable than the overwhelming majority of other Senators. His nature was kind, generous and inclined to forget grudges and turn enemies into friends, but he was also willing to be utterly ruthless.

Unable to gain office, he left Rome again and went to Rhodes, where he studied rhetoric; he returned to Rome in 73 BC, a very persuasive speaker. The year before, while still absent, he had been elected to the pontificate, an important college of Roman priests. In 71 BC Pompey the Great, who had earned his epithet in service under Sulla, returned to Rome, having defeated the rebellious populares general Sertorius in Spain. At the same time Marcus Crassus, a rich patrician, suppressed in Italy the slave revolt led by Spartacus. Pompey and Crassus both ran for the consulship—an office held by two men—in 70 BC.

This war lasting 17 years, has often been called the “Hannibalic War,” One of the major exploits of this campaign was Hannibal’s decision to attack Rome from the north of Italy instead of the south. Hannibal was eventually defeated and rather than be captured he committed suicide. Carthage was also defeated weakening the state even more and increasing the Romans power. The third and Final Punic War was caused what some believe was war mongering by wealthy Roman senators with financial interests. Whatever the reason was, this war had a tragic outcome for Carthage ... ... middle of paper ... ... Sulla’s rule was significant partly due to the fact that he gained his position by a show of military force by marching his army into Rome and that once this power was gained he was granted the power of dictatorship.

Julius Caesar started to take part in many small leadership positions, which eventually led to Caesar’s establishing the trust of society and the eventual reign of Julius Caesar. Caesar’s rise as a political leader and politician was blemished with a fatal flaw in his character known as hamartia. Caesar’s hamartia was his pride, arrogance and individual quest for power, self-superiority and use of popularist tactics to further own political gains. On the one hand, it led to political and military leadership as well as to democratic and popularist tactics to advance his career as a politician and ruler of Rome. On the other hand, Caesar’s hamartia fostered many enemies for him politically, who ultimately conspired against him, thus causing his death.

he went to Hispania (modern-day Spain) to fight alongside Caesar. He was shipwrecked along the way, and had to cross enemy territory to reach his great-uncle; an act that impressed Caesar enough to name Octavius his heir and successor in his will.”(Augustus). By the time of Caesar's assassination, Octavian defeated the conspirators who murdered Caesar in a series of battles and divided Rome's lands among them. This lead to the establishment of The Second Triumvirate, in which they shared the power among the divided territories with Mark Antony in charge of Egypt and East, Marcus Aemilius Lepidus with Africa and Octavian the West. Over time, the alliance that formed fell apart.