All About History

Famous Romans

Meet ten Romans who helped shape the Republic – even in its dying days

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JULIUS CAESAR 100 BCE – 44 BCE

The last major leader of the Roman Republic, Julius Caesar’s name lives on today. Born into civil war, Caesar rose to become a celebrated general, conquering Gaul and even heading across the Channel in an unsuccessf­ul attempt to invade Britain. Caesar’s entrance into politics would later see the end of the Roman Republic and the start of the empire, ending years of civil war. But it unfortunat­ely culminated with Caesar’s assassinat­ion on the Ides of March.

SCIPIO AFRICANUS 236 BCE – 183 BCE

When it comes to the Punic Wars, one of the most well-known Roman leaders is undoubtedl­y Scipio Africanus. Famous for defeating the Carthagini­an Hannibal at the Battle of Zama, Scipio’s legacy as a general is certainly secure. In fact, that’s how he won the surname ‘Africanus’. Scipio had been born into a wealthy patrician family, and his military career began at the Battle of Cannae in 216 BCE. He soon gained a reputation as a military mastermind, before heading to the Senate in 199 BCE; he held the position of princeps senatus from then until his death.

Spartacus c.111 BCE – 71 BCE

While little is known about Spartacus’ early life, it is known that he was sold into slavery and became a gladiator. His training took place in Capua, north of Naples – but his fighting in the arena isn’t what he’s known for. In 73 BCE, Spartacus escaped his training and fled to nearby Mount Vesuvius. He was joined by a number of other escaped slaves, and he turned them into an army numbering around 100,000 men. Through guerilla warfare, they kept outsmartin­g the Roman army and headed north towards Gaul. But their luck wouldn’t last forever. An army led by Crassus trapped them and Spartacus was killed – 6,000 of the slaves who managed to escape were hunted down and crucified.

Lucius Junius Brutus Unknown – c.509 BCE

It was scandal that saw the end of the Roman kings. In its wake, Lucius Junius Brutus launched an uprising, overthrowi­ng King Lucius Tarquinius Superbus, expelling the royals and founding the Roman Republic in 509 BCE. Brutus became the first consul of the Republic, and the fatherland came before all else. When his sons tried to plot against the nation, they were found out and killed on Brutus’ orders.

VETURIA UNKNOWN – UNKNOWN

While Coriolanus has found immortal fame thanks to Shakespear­e, his mother has been all but forgotten. From a wealthy patrician family, Veturia encouraged her son in Roman politics. When Coriolanus was exiled from the city and decided to lay siege to it with the Volscians, it was Veturia, along with Coriolanus’ wife Volumnia, who encouraged him to stop.

Cicero 106 BCE – 43 BCE

Known as the greatest orator of the late Roman Republic, Cicero’s early career went from strength to strength. Born into a wealthy family, he worked his way up the political ranks to become consul in 63 BCE. However, it was during his consulship that he ran into trouble. A politician by the name of Catiline was accused of trying to overthrow the Republic. Cicero’s speeches played a part in putting the perpetrato­rs behind bars, but his choice to execute them eventually found Cicero exiled and assassinat­ed. It didn’t help that he had spoken out against Mark Antony, calling him a public enemy.

CORNELIA AFRICANA C.190S BCE-C.115 BCE

The daughter of famed general Scipio Africanus, Cornelia was presented as the perfect Roman woman. She was born into a powerful family, and married into another one – family, in fact, was one of her priorities. But there was more to Cornelia than that. She was politicall­y active, something that was almost unheard of for a woman at the time. In fact, Cornelia was one of the most influentia­l people of her time and didn’t slow down after the death of her husband. She even took the teaching of her sons, the Gracchi brothers, on herself.

ENNIUS 239 BCE – 169 BCE

Before Virgil’s Aeneid was Ennius’ Annales, an epic poem that told the story of Rome from the days of Aeneas to his present day. While only 600 lines survive, Ennius’ legacy has lived on. While he served in the military and was a teacher, he is known for his writing. He penned Sabinae, Ambracia and Scipio, and created a new literary genre: satire.

SALLUST 86 BCE – 35 BCE

One of Ancient Rome’s most famous writers and politician­s, Sallust came from relatively humble beginnings. He wasn’t born into the ruling class, but still rose in the cursus honorem. His military service started around 70 BCE, and in 52 BCE he was elected a tribune of the plebs. However, he was expelled from the Senate just two years later. It wasn’t the end for Sallust, though. He sought refuge with Julius Caesar, and commanded one of his legions against Pompey.

Cincinnatu­s c.519 BCE – c.430 BCE

When Cincinnatu­s was appointed dictator in 458 BCE, it was at a time of crisis. An army was surrounded by the Aequi people on Mount Algidus – Cincinnatu­s supposedly defeated the enemy in a day. He went on to bring Rome out of the crisis before resigning from his position and returning to his farm outside of the city. Cincinnatu­s’ legacy has endured, and his story was used to represent ideal republic simplicity in the early days of the United States of America. His humble background was a juxtaposit­ion to the luxury and decadence of the British Empire and George III.

 ??  ?? The date of the founding of the Republic comes from the Roman scholar Varro, but some believe it actually happened four years later
The date of the founding of the Republic comes from the Roman scholar Varro, but some believe it actually happened four years later
 ??  ?? A socialist group called the Spartacist League was named after Spartacus in Germany in 1916
A socialist group called the Spartacist League was named after Spartacus in Germany in 1916
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 ??  ?? A lot of what we know about the late Republic era comes from Cicero’s letters and writings
A lot of what we know about the late Republic era comes from Cicero’s letters and writings
 ??  ?? Many of George Washington’s contempora­ries compared him to Cincinnatu­s as he fought for independen­ce from the British
Many of George Washington’s contempora­ries compared him to Cincinnatu­s as he fought for independen­ce from the British
 ??  ?? Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus fought for the rights of the poor, but often faced violent opposition from the ruling class
Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus fought for the rights of the poor, but often faced violent opposition from the ruling class
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