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Politics and Events is a category dedicated to the key processes, decisions, and events that shaped the history of ancient Rome. Here, you’ll find articles on the formation of the Republic and Empire, political struggles, reforms, conspiracies, and key historical events that shaped the fate of the Roman Empire. The articles explore both high-level politics and pivotal moments in Roman history, placing them within their broader social and historical context.
The works of the eminent Roman speaker, politician and philosopher Marcus Tullius Cicero (January 3, 106 – December 7, 43 BCE) are undoubtedly an icon of an ancient culture that laid the foundations our civilization in terms of legal, moral and social.
In the last years of his reign, Emperor Nero (54-68 CE) has had to face many internal threats against his government. Gaius Calpurnius Pizon initiated a plot to deprive the Emperor of his life, in 65 CE. Despite the fact that the conspiracy was quickly discovered, the repression that it followed increased resentment to the Emperor.
On December 13, 115 CE1, an unusually strong earthquake occurred in Antioch. Current estimates give strength of 7.5 on the Richter scale and 11 on the Mercalli scale. Antioch and the surrounding area were completely destroyed. To top it all off, the quake caused a local tsunami that seriously damaged the port of Caesarea Maritima in Judea (present-day Israel).
When the Visigoths conquered Rome in 410 CE, contemporaries thought that the end of the civilized world had come. In fact, Rome was no longer the capital of the Empire and was no longer as important as it used to be, but it was still a symbol of Roman civilization.
The declining period of the Roman Republic was full of violent political conflicts ending in bloodshed. Groups of people who in modern times would undoubtedly deserve the name of political militias had a large share in this.
Jugurtha (born around 160 BCE and died in 104 BCE) was the grandson of Masinissa, meaning the ruler of Numidia who at the end of the Second Punic War went over to Rome, contributing to the victory of Scipio Africanus the Elder took over Hannibal in the battle of Zama in 202 BCE and which he acknowledges he was crowned Numidia.
The Marcomannic Wars is a series of wars that the Roman Empire waged in the years 167-180 CE with barbarian tribes living in the areas neighbouring its northern borders. During the entire period of the conflict, many ethnically different barbarian tribes took part, such as the German Longobards, Marcomannians, Narists, Quads or Boers, but also the Celtic Kotyns, the Danish Kostobok and finally the Sarmatian Iazyges and Roxolani.
Gabiniani – this name was related to the group of Roman mercenaries fighting for Egyptian kings – Ptolemy XII and Ptolemy XIII. This term was derived from the name of the governor of Syria, Aulus Gabinius, who left in Egypt part of his troops participating in the recovery of the throne for Ptolemy XII.
Octavian Augustus, heir and principal heir of the dictator Julius Caesar, led to another civil war in the result of which removed all rivals to full power. The year 27 BCE is officially recognized as the beginning of the existence of a new type of government (Empire) in the Roman state, which, however, was still officially called the Republic. As it turned out, it was a brilliant idea of Augustus, who established full power in his and his family’s hands, appointing the closest and most loyal people to key positions.
Marcus Aurelius (121-180 CE) is considered one of the best, if not the best emperor of Rome. Called the “philosopher on the throne” he conducted prudent rule in a spirit of stoicism, respecting the senate. In 175 CE there was a rebellion of Avidius Cassius – his trusted general – which was a big shock for the Romans.
