Rome: From Republic to Empire

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The Gracchi Brothers

The activities of the Gracchus brothers are traditionally considered the end of the history of the classical Republic and the beginning of its crisis, which resulted in a series of civil wars. What was Rome like in the second half of the 2nd century BC, and who were the Gracchus brothers in it – read in the first article of the course.

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Happy dictator

Dictatorship in Ancient Rome was a tool for overcoming crises, when power, with the consent of the Senate and the people, was temporarily concentrated in one person's hands until the problem was resolved, after which the dictator would relinquish power. However, Sulla "reinvented" the dictatorship, and it is from him that we can trace the familiar negative connotation of this term.

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Divine Julius

In Roman history, there is no figure more famous than Gaius Julius Caesar. The scale of his deeds is immense: with loyal troops, he conquered vast Gaul and seized power in Rome. Caesar continues to inspire to this day. How the dictator came to power and what his regime was like – read in the third article of the course.

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Antony and Cleopatra

The love of Antony and Cleopatra is one of the most famous romantic plots in world history. Who were the famous lovers, and what role did their union play in the decisive civil war that determined the fate of the Roman Republic?

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August as a Student of Cicero

The question of Cicero's influence on Augustus's regime is an old issue in the historiography of Antiquity. The article will discuss how Cicero's political views were formed, why the old republican allied with the future emperor, and how his principles influenced Octavian's "restored republic."

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August and the Heirs

Octavian Augustus ended the century-long era of turmoil and civil wars in Rome and established the principate or "restored Republic." What did this regime represent from a state-legal perspective, what were its development options, and how painful was the choice of successor? Read about this in the next article of the course.