http://historylearning.com/a-history-of-ancient-rome/julius-caesar/
Julius Caesar is one of the most important people in the
history of Rome. He was part of the First Triumvirate, where he allied
himself with Pompey and Crassus to become richer and more powerful. He
also gained the influence of the people, by giving them “bread and circuses”,
where the people were given food and entertainment, so they loved him. He
was responsible for conquering all of Gaul for ten years, and he also allowed
the region of Egypt to prosper during the reign of Cleopatra. His
adoption of Octavian, led to Octavian becoming the first Roman emperor.
http://www.nigelmcbain.com/resources/Gracchus.jpg?timestamp=1302147291810
Tiberius Gracchus was another influential person in
Rome. His land reform plan led to his success in achieving support from
the Plebeians. He also broke many Roman political traditions, such as kicking
out members of the Tribune who did not support him (Marcus Octavius).
Then, he ran for consul again, for a second consecutive year, which was also
illegal. Due to his growing power, he and his supporter were murdered in
a riot, for the first time in Roman history. His influence led to many
political traditions being broken and allowed violence to become an acceptable
way in Roman politics to get rid of political enemies.
http://www.the-romans.eu/Museum/var/albums/Museumpieces/Glytotek-Muenchen/GM042.jpg
Sulla was another important politician in ancient
Rome. He was responsible for engaging in a war with Mithradates, which
would later prompt Pompey to finish and earn amazing fame. He was
involved in a rivalry with Marius. Due to this, when he came back from
his campaign in Turkey, he found that the city was being controlled by
Marius. He came into the city, and slaughtered many of Marius’
supporters. He was the first to create proscriptions, which were list of
political enemies that were to be killed and robbed of their land and
money. This political strategy was later used by the First Triumvirate
and the Second Triumvirate. He was also the first to call himself
Dictator (a supreme ruler) even though it was Roman law that dictators should
be elected only in a time of absolute emergency. Neither were the case
with Sulla, a strategy that Julius Caesar would also use during the end of his
life.
