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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.
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.
Ancient Rome from the beginning of its existence consisted of two social layers – patricians and plebeians; higher and lower state respectively. Lack of influence on state decisions and the use of plebe by patricians led to the so-called secessio plebis that took place five times in Rome’s history.
In ancient Rome, the term “triumvirate” (from trium viri – “three men”) was used to describe a college made up of three officials elected to perform certain tasks. Two such meetings have gone down in the history of Rome. Both took place during the so-called crisis of the Roman republic and decided about the division of power between influential politicians. In fact, these were agreements bypassing the senate, which was losing its prerogatives.
Catilinarian conspiracy was the events of 63 BCE, when the impoverished politician Lucius Sergius Catilina tried to overthrow the rule of the consuls for a given year: Marcus Tullius Cicero and Gaius Antonius Hybrida and seize power. The description of events has survived to our times due to numerous source texts, especially Cicero’s speeches.
The construction of the ship began with the construction of the hull plating from boards, usually pine. Then a light skeleton was placed inside and the whole structure was reinforced with thick ropes. Boards were connected with specially hewn pins or grooves, practically no nails or other metal fasteners were used.
Roman Empire, expanding from the 3rd century BCE to the 5th century CE, was one of the few in ancient history that covered such a huge area. It is also sometimes called a world state for this reason. In the first and second centuries, the Romans ruled huge areas around the Mediterranean Sea. This huge state can only be compared with the Chinese state during the Han dynasty (202 BCE 220 CE) and the former state of Emperor Szy-Huang-Ti.
In 50 BCE, the Senate dominated by Pompey the Great ordered Julius Caesar to return to Rome, dissolve his army, and forbade him to run for the second consulate. These activities were clearly dictated by the desire to diminish the political and military role of Caesar.
Defeat of Perseus – King of Macedonia – in 168 BCE and the pacification of his allies brought great wealth to Romans. At the same time, however, the Roman Republic faced the difficult task of determining the future of Hellas. Creation of client regions or incorporation of lands into Rome was considered.
The despotism of Nero caused growing dissatisfaction. The reign of Nero is stuck in the consciousness of his people today as a period of exceptional decline in morality, the oppression of society, and the eccentric pranks of the emperor. From a person sensitive to beauty, poetry, and theatre, he became a vain lust.
Year 193 CE is known in the history of ancient Rome as The Year of Five Emperors, because during these 365 days as many as five claimants claimed the throne. This year also brought the fall of the current Antonin dynasty (96 – 192 CE) and the beginning of the four-year period of civil wars (193 – 197 CE), which eventually ended with the victory of Septimius Severus.
