The Fall of the Roman Republic - Book Report/Review Example

Shotter, David. The Fall of the Roman Republic. London: Routledge, 1994. This book d as “The Fall of the Roman Republic” has been written by “David Shotter”. David Shotter served as the Professor of History in Lancaster University. He is also a very well known author. His most famous books include Augustus Caesar , German, Angekommen , Biberswald, Nero Caesar Augustus, the Sun-king of the Roman World , Roman Britain, The Roman Frontier in Britain: Hadrians Wall, the Antonine Wall, and Roman Policy in the North, Angekommen, Biberswald, Rome and Her Empire, Romans and Britons in North West England and Tiberius Caesar . He is basically a historian and his books mainly reflect the Roman and German era. He wrote a number of books on Augustus Caesar as well. The book has been divided into different parts describing the whole state affairs of the Romans such as the government of the Republic, the growth of empire, Romans politics, civil war, Caesar’s dictatorship, Antonius, Octavian and Lepidus, description of the Roman voting assemblies, procedure for selecting the Magistracies of the Roman republic and the names of the provinces of the Roman empire The beginning of the book starts with the mid of the second century BC. The first chapter opens with the word ‘republic’ that is derived from the Latin word respublica which means ‘the public concern’. The word was first used by the Romans in first BC when Augustus established a new kingdom know as the principate. At that time the rich people had a control over the governmental duties, military leadership and religion. The power of the common man was limited, and the whole of the government was dominated by the upper class. During this ere the Roman society was divided into two groups patricians and plebeians. The patrician were in control of the whole power, whereas only the richest of the plebeians were given access to the magistracies, to the membership of the senate and assembly. In fact the common people were reserved only for voting. So the writer is of the view that the main reason of the breakdown of the old respublica was the growth of the Roman Empire. The writer also explains the relationship of Rome with its neighbor countries at that time especially with Italy. The Romans had some sort of influence over the southern Italy at that time. As far as the army was concerned there was no special army until the time of the emperor Augustus. Armies were recruited only when some need arises. Individualism begins to overcome the traditional class devotion. Another problem was the distribution of bribes during the time of election. Some other problems include agricultural instability i.e. the small farmer found himself incapable of competing or even of holding his own land, warfare due to which slavery increased as the prisoners of war were brought to Italy to be sold in the slave markets. Another problem during the Mid of second century BC was the falling birth-rate and the large numbers of deaths as a result of warfare The city as a result became a more dangerous place for a common man to live. The writer also describes that the during the second century BC the two leading political families were the Scipiones and the Claudii. During the early years of the second century BC Scipiones were the dominant power but by the mid Of 150 BC Claudiis became the most prominent political family. During this era the man who was linked with the next attempt at reform was Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus, the son of the Gracchus. First he published an agrarian law that proposed to take over the public land that was held illegally, and then to redistribute the land to landless citizens which made him popular among the poor’s. But the committee that was established to manage the proposed resettlement programme, was made up of three members who were Tiberius Gracchus himself, his young brothers, Gaius, and Appius Claudius. Earlier it was made clear that the only reason behind this resettlement programme of the farmers was to gain a good reputation among the public. After some time Tiberius Gracchus was murdered but the land bill survived, and settlement of landless citizens proceeded. After this the younger brother of Gracchus, Gaius Gracchus came. He emphasized on the equal distribution of the profits of empire but he was also opposed and his opponents wanted to destroy him completely. So troops were sent against him, Gaius Gracchus committed suicide. Therefore the Gracchan episode was ended in violence and bloodshed. After this episode of Gaius Gracchus, Gaius Marius came into power in 109 BC who was considered as the only that could save Rome and Italy. Then came Sulla who was once a junior officer of Gaius Marius. He was not from a wealthy or politically notable. He was dominant not only through propaganda but also by his ruthless attitude towards his opponents. Sulla’s reformed the judicial system by removing the administration of justice from the popular assemblies. He decided that the courts should handle cases of murder, poisoning, forgery, treason, bribery, peculationand assault. However in 79 BC Sullah resigned. Then Pompey came into power and the main step which he took was destroying the pirates who had been the main problem for Rome for many centuries. But Pompey was a very bad Leader as he was a cruel and a disloyal man. Then Julius Caesars took over the whole power. During the civil war Caesar’s attitude towards the defeated enemies was very generous and kind as he wanted to bring about peace and stability. He was one of the first Romans to gave a suggestion by which Rome and Italy cold become a well-defended and prosperous empire. Caesar made Rome a Republic. Caesar made many good changes in the government and regarding infrastructure. He created jobs for the people. During his reign Caesar was deeply involved in warfare. However in the end Caesar was murdered as a result of conspiracy Led by Gaius Cassius Longinus and Caesar’s best friend Marcus Junius Brutus. After the murder of Caesar, Marcus Antonius, who was regarded by Caesar as his ‘deputy’ emerged as a new leader, but after some time the adopted son of Caesar and his nephew as well Gaius Octavius,took over the control. After so many wars Octavian (the new Caesar) became the new Leader of the Roman world. The writer is of the view that in fact Octavian’s victory became the rise of the republic. In the end the writer also gives some facts and figures regarding the description of the Roman voting assemblies, procedure for selecting the Magistracies of the Roman republic and the names of the provinces of the Roman empire .So the book in fact describes the government of the Republic how different individuals took advantage of the expansion of the Roman empire Julius Caesars attainment of power Julius Caesars murder the rise of the Augustan and the ultimate rise of Octavius This book describes the whole Roman history which can be helpful for the students to understand the complex network of the Roman Empire and its different rulers. This book no doubt is the best book that gives explanation of different problems of that period and the prejudices to which they gave rise. Any reader will find this book a relatively easy read and quite enlightening. Any specialist in Roman Republican history will find this work a concise, accurate, and extremely valuable synthesis of scholarly opinion on the fall of the Roman Republic. The writer also demonstrates that how different groups and individuals seek their own advantage by wrong means. The wealth and the power of men like Sulla, Pompey, Crassus and Ceasar gave rise to a system based on weak magistracies. The author provides a clear picture of the events and personalities during the Romans era. "The Civil War”, Caesar’s dictatorship and his assassination, and the rise and the success of Octavian are the best parts of the book.  This book is an absolute must read for any person interested in Roman history. However the writer made some sweeping statements without any proof. For example he explained that republic was divided amongst the aristocratic class and the plebian. He also mentioned that the downfall of the republic was caused by the growth of empire. Otherwise the book is a must read book for the persons and the students who are interested in Roman history. The end was also very nice when the writer described Octavius as an emerging leader who made Rome a prosperous nation in the World. The students of history and classical studies will find this book very helpful to understand this complex phase of history. It is also useful for the general reader as well as it not only provides different facts and figures regarding the Roman’s era but also gives an interesting knowledge regarding the nature of political power and the political figures of that era. Read More