The Fall of the Roman Republic

Transcription

1 Don Mills C.I. Model United Nations March 29 th, 2018 The Fall of the Roman Republic

2 Page 1 of 4 Table of Contents TOPIC PAGE Introduction.. 2 Background of Roman History and Structure.. 3 The Current Situation. 4 Summary of the State of Rome.. 4 The People in Power.. 5

3 Page 2 of 4 Introduction Dear delegates, On behalf of Don Mills CI Model United Nations 2018, it is my honour to welcome you to the Roman Republic Committee! The Roman Republic Committee is a crisis committee that will bring delegates back to 49BC. Delegates will play the role of an assigned character, a senator in the Roman Republic. Debate for the first half of the day will be regarding Caesar s rise in power, and in the afternoon there will be a crisis where you solve the given issue according to your character s political stance. Closer to the conference date, delegates will be sent out individual character descriptions. Although this is a crisis committee, position papers are still required to win an award. It is highly recommended that delegates do research on on the background of the events as well as on their own character. Position papers can be sent via to dmcimun@gmail.com by 11:59pm on March 28th, 2018 or submitted in paper on the day of the conference. A position paper is required to be eligible for awards, but is not mandatory for this committee. However, it is strongly recommended to submit a position paper as it can help delegates learn more about the history of this topic. If delegates wish to be considered for the Best Position Paper Award, position papers must be submitted by 11:59pm on March 26th. If you have any questions, feel free to us. We look forward to seeing you on March 29th! Sincerely, Grace Ting Don Mills CI MUN 2018 Executive

4 Page 3 of 4 Background of Roman History and Structure Ancient Rome, referring to the Roman civilization, began as a small Italic settlement in the Italian peninsula. Since its founding in 8th century BC, this settlement grew into the city of Rome, giving name to the widely known civilisation. Through the many centuries of its existence in ancient history, the state of Rome evolved through many different forms of government: the Roman Kingdom, Roman Republic, and the Roman Empire. In 509 BC, the new era of Roman civilization began. With the Roman Kingdom (a royalty-based system) overthrown, a new democratic government came to power. Similar to modern-day government, a senate was created, consisting of leaders and representatives from each of the Roman territories. The senate was headed by two consuls who were elected annually by the citizens of the empire. Though the two consuls carried authority, dictatorship was forbidden, except in the case of emergency. Due to the aristocratic structure of their society, the Roman government often faced conflicts between the plebeians (commoners) and the patricians (a ruling class with traceable ancestry to the founding of Rome). This conflict resulted in a plebeian revolt against the patricians. Subsequently, tribunes elected by a plebeian council to represent the commoners in the senate were established. Tribunes were able to present legislations and veto unfavourable legislations or elections in the senate. However, tribunes were often bribed by patricians to take their favour in certain decisions. Roman citizenship is another key element of structure in the Roman Republic. Citizenship in Ancient Rome granted privilege, protection, and political status to the holder, but could be revoked in certain situations. Male citizens were given the right to vote in assemblies, stand for civil office, and more. Female citizens did not have the right to vote or stand for office, but had the right to possess land.

5 Page 4 of 4 The Current Situation: Summary of the State of Rome The Roman Republic has lasted about four and a half centuries, lead by the Roman Senate and the patrician class. The political situation changed when the First Triumvirate was established in 59 BC. This was an unofficial political alliance between Gaius Julius Caesar, Marcus Licinius Crassus and Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus (commonly known as Pompey). With this alliance, they aimed to gain political influence and overcome the resistance of the senate. The triumvirs became the most powerful politicians in the Republic. The alliance fell apart when Crassus died in the Battle of Carrhae. Pompey grew jealous of Caesar and his rising popularity. This conflict broke out into a civil war. Caesar, the superior and more popular military general, defeated Pompey. The war ended. Pompey was killed, his allies defeated and Caesar returns to Rome triumphantly. As the last surviving member of the First Triumvirate, Caesar rises politically. He makes allies and places them in the Senate. Caesar gains plebeian support through social reforms and decreasing the power of the patricians and governing class and is declared dictator. He becomes the first speaker in senate meetings and has his face imprinted on coins. The senate gives him tribunicia potestas (the power of a tribune) and retaliates against any plebeian tribunes who stand in his way. However, while Caesar was strongly supported by his troops, plebeian masses, and bribed senators, Caesar s rise created many adversaries. The patricians and the senators not placed in the senate by him grew irate at his rising power and actions for eroding their influence. The conservatives feel concern about the fate of the republic and its decline into dictatorship. Rumours spread that Caesar will overthrow the Roman Senate to claim absolute power. His adversaries and republicans are distressed. Many, including Gaius Cassius Longinus, Decimus Junius Brutus, and Marcus Junius Brutus believe it is time to put an end to Caesar s reign.

6 Don Mills Model United Nations Roman Republic Page 5 of 4 The Current Situation: The People in Power Julius Caesar Julius Caesar is the son of a wealthy politician. He became a general and was the governor of Spain from BC. He was elected consul in 59 BC. Around this time, he joined the First Triumvirate with Marcus Licinius Crassus and Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus. After Crassus and Pompey died, Caesar wielded great power in Rome alone and strived to supersede the Republic as king. Octavian Octavian is the adopted son of Caesar and his adoptive father has groomed him as a political ally and successor. Octavian accompanied Caesar in his triumphal procession after his victory in the civil war and is now completing his academic and military studies in Apollonia. Marcus Brutus Marcus Brutus is a prominent senator. He is outspoken with his criticism of Julius Caesar and believes that the powers of the Republic should not be vested in him. He has joined a group of Senators called the Liberators. He already fought against Caesar during the Civil War on Pompey s side but was granted amnesty. Marcus Antonius Marcus Antonius (commonly known as Mark Antony) is one of Caesar s generals and a staunch supporter of his reign. Caesar has appointed him administrator of Italy. Questions to consider: 1. Do you support Caesar? Should he be given this power? 2. Who, of the second triumvirate, should be the leader of Rome? 3. Who came to power after Caesar s fall? What difficulties occurred?