How Did Julius Caesar End the Republic?
Caesar’s crossing of the Rubicon in 49 BCE sparked civil war, ending Senate control. After defeating Pompey, he declared himself dictator for life, centralizing power. His assassination in 44 BCE was meant to save the Republic, but it only led to more turmoil, paving the way for the Roman Empire.
Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix
Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix stood out as a dominant Roman general and political force, his legacy linked to defending the Senate’s upper echelon and preserving established control. Emerging from a weakened segment of the esteemed Cornelian clan in 138 BC, he gained prominence through battlefield successes and astute alliances, personifying the ideals of the Optimates, those resolutely dedicated to the supremacy of the senatorial aristocracy.
