The Roles of Strong Military Generals in Roman History
Since our very first lecture, we have discussed the importance of a strong military persona for several Roman leaders. Roman kings sought to achieve military prestige through successful campaigns and the celebration of triumphs. These features continued throughout the Republic, which saw able-bodied military commanders use the Republican system of governance as a tool to achieve their personal ambitions. It was these types of leaders that enacted the collapse of the Republic and foundation of the Roman empire. Below, we will take a comprehensive look at three military leaders and discuss their impact on Roman history
Assignment Requirements
1. Research your assigned general and provide a list of five lines of evidence that support your assigned theory. Make sure to provide parenthetical references to the source from which your line of evidence came.
• Lucius Cornelius Sulla was the most important Roman general that categorically changed the trajectory of Roman history through his actions, innovations, and interactions with fellow Romans. [Last name begins with G-L]
2. Research the other generals and provide a list of five lines of evidence that go against any one of the others. Make sure to provide parenthetical references to the source from which your line of evidence came.
• Gaius Marius was the most important Roman general that categorically changed the trajectory of Roman history through his actions, innovations, and interactions with fellow Romans.
• Gaius Julius Caesar was the most important Roman general that categorically changed the trajectory of Roman history through his actions, innovations, and interactions with fellow Romans.
• Octavian/Augustus was the most important Roman general that categorically changed the trajectory of Roman history through his actions, innovations, and interactions with fellow Romans.
3. You may or may not agree with your assigned general. Write a paragraph (3-5 good sentences) explaining your personal perspective on the impact of these Roman generals on subsequent Roman culture.
