His Life and Legacy — More Myth than Reality? Augustus was instrumental in creating the Rome we know today and despite Tacitus’ feelings otherwise, the time has come to regard Augustus for what he was: the great savior of Rome. Despite his arrogance and early displays of bloodlust, Augustus was far from a power-hungry killer…
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Cicero and the Roman Ideal of Governorship
Governing the province of Cilicia from 51–50 BC, Cicero offers an example of what appears to be the idealistic Roman view of governorship. Cicero’s task was significant, especially against a looming war with the Parthians. Still, Cicero is perhaps the model Roman governor. One can only hope that subsequent governors learned from his example. Throughout…
The Sicilian Slave Revolts of Ancient Rome
What we can learn from the Servile Wars The slave revolts or First and Second Servile Wars in Sicily during the 130s BC and again in 104 BC were widespread and brutal. Sicily had become a vital agricultural colony for the Roman Republic following the Punic Wars. As such, many Romans and Italians owned property there and…
Rome, Carthage, and a few Punic War Hypotheticals
What if things had turned out slightly different? Could Hannibal have secured victory? During two successive wars, it is likely that Rome’s victories were unavoidable. Carthage was predominantly unable to overcome Roman military power due to its inability to comprehend Roman resolve. During the first war, it was unfathomable at the onset to see Rome as…