Rome Notes

In class Mr. Schick wasn't here, we took notes in the book;

• With the changes in Rome's society and politics, the character of its armies and their commanders also changed.
• Instead of the farmer-soldiers of old, it was now landless and property less proletarians who were drafted to fill the ranks of the legions.
• The government by supreme warlords was bound to be brief and unstable - unless one of them could turn military dictatorship int legitimate power.
• Julius Caesar
• Came from on old patrician family.
• He entered the politic world young.
• He sided with the poor people.
• In 60BC he began to collaborate with Gnaeus Pompeius.
• Won an appointment to have control of the southern regions of Gaul. 
• Conquered Gaul and even made forays into Britain and Germany.
• Crassus had led an army to a crushing defeat by the neighboring empire Parthia.
• With Pompey's support, the Senate ordered Caesar to disband his army and return to Rome.
• But instead he decided to come back with part of his army, in defiance of Roman Law.
• Pompey was hastily commissioned to defend the Senate, but his forces were not match for Caesar.
• The Father of the Fatherland - Caesar.
• Supreme pontiff - minor branch of government.
• Rubicon - northern Italy River: Rome and Rubicon.

50BC most of western Europe was under Roman Control.