Social Conflict and Political Factions in the Roman Republic

Catalog description

Traces the evolution of social conflict and political factions at Rome from the foundation to the dissolution of the Republic (C5-C1 BCE). Roman armies secured a vast empire of territory, raw materials, and manpower governed by the senate and the people of Rome itself. The influx of resources, however, destabilized Rome’s constitution and upset political power balances at the city of Rome. How did the Romans—elites and masses—compete amongst themselves for the bounty of empire abroad and confront their own internal conflicts at home? Was concord possible, or were the developments of empire inconsistent with the constitution of the Republic?