In the Ancient Roman calendar, the Ides were on the 15th day of the month, marking the full moon’s arrival. After March 44 BC, it forever represented a grim milestone in Roman politics. On that day, Julius Caesar was stabbed to death by over 40 senators during a meeting in the Senate. The irony? This act, meant to protect the Republic, instead ushered in Roman imperial rule with Caesar’s grandnephew, Octavian, as its first emperor.
Caesar’s assassination is etched in our minds thanks to literature and popular culture. But the political atmosphere leading up to it was brewing for over a century. This list takes you back to that era, showcasing the ruthless political climate that made Caesar’s assassination seem like just another day.
The Late Roman Republic was the political Wild West. Rome’s expansion brought wealth and land, but it wasn’t shared equally. The gap between rich and poor grew, creating tension ripe for exploitation. This environment fostered factions, populists, and demagogues. It was a vicious cycle that made political assassination almost commonplace.
10. Tiberius Gracchus
Tiberius Gracchus, born around 163 BC, seemed destined for success. His father was a consul, and his mother came from the famed Scipio Africanus clan. But after becoming tribune in 133 BC, he surprised everyone by focusing on the lower classes.
Tiberius proposed redistributing public lands to the poor, aiming to restore independent farmers. The Senate, dominated by wealthy landowners, saw this as a threat. Despite their opposition, his reforms gained popularity, leading to conflict between supporters and opponents.
On June 13, 133 BC, senators led by Scipio Nasica confronted Tiberius. He was beaten with wooden stools, stabbed, and his body was thrown into the Tiber River, emphasizing how far the elite would go to protect their interests.[1]
9. Gaius Gracchus
Gaius Gracchus, undeterred by his brother’s fate, continued Tiberius’s work. He proposed subsidized grain distribution and created colonies for the landless. His programs aimed to stabilize the volatile political landscape.
Gaius challenged the Senate further by allowing jurors to be elected from the equestrian class, reducing senatorial control over judicial systems. His reforms were popular with the poor but seen as radical by the elite.
In 121 BC, after one of Gaius’s supporters was accused of murder, the Senate declared him an enemy of the republic. He was cornered on the Aventine Hill and either killed himself or was decapitated by his pursuers. His head was displayed in the Forum as a warning.[2]
8. Gaius Memmius
Gaius Memmius, born a plebeian in the 140s BC, used his military career to enter politics. He served as praetor and governor of Macedonia. Known for his rousing speeches, he often criticized the aristocracy. As tribune in 111 BC, he publicly opposed a controversial treaty with King Jugurtha of Numidia, accusing senators of corruption.
Memmius also championed land distribution legislation, adding a cap on public land ownership. Despite this, he served his entire term without major incident, which was rare.
In 100 BC, Memmius ran for consul against Gaius Servilius Glaucia. On election day, Glaucia incited a riot, and an angry mob killed Memmius in broad daylight. The public outrage was widespread, further fueling factionalism in Roman politics.[3]
7. Lucius Apuleius Saturninus
Lucius Saturninus rose to prominence as Tribune of the Plebs in 104 BC, advocating for popular legislation, including land allocation for veterans. Aligning himself with Gaius Marius, he further strained his relationship with the Senate, who accused him of inciting riots with his reforms.
This led to political unrest, with factions hunting each other. Saturninus sought refuge in the senate building, but his men betrayed him. The besieging mob tore off the roof, and Saturninus was stoned to death.
His death prompted the Senate to suppress his populist initiatives, leading to widespread dissatisfaction and riots among the lower classes.[4]
6. Gaius Servilius Glaucia
Gaius Servilius Glaucia, shortly after orchestrating Memmius’s assassination in 100 BC, met a similar fate. Aligned with Lucius Saturninus and the populares, he opposed the Senate. He proposed expanding the rights of the equestrian class, increasing their support against the Senate.
Glaucia’s use of violence and intimidation deepened the existing rift. The Senate issued a decree allowing extreme measures against threats to the Republic, including Glaucia. He was captured by senatorial forces and beaten to death before being thrown down the temple steps.
His assassination contributed to the ongoing cycle of violence and was a blow to the Gracchan faction.[5]
5. Marcus Livius Drusus
Marcus Livius Drusus was an unconventional politician, focusing on Rome’s Italian allies and advocating for their rights. As tribune, he introduced legislation to expand citizenship to the allies, addressing their grievances.
His reforms faced fierce opposition from the Senate. Despite his precarious position, he persisted. Many never forgave his Roman citizenship proposals.
In 91 BC, Drusus was ambushed and stabbed to death. His assassination ignited the Social War (91-88 BC), which ended after Rome granted citizenship to the allies.[6]
4. Gaius Julius Caesar Strabo
Gaius Julius Caesar Strabo, born around 131 BC, was part of the influential Julian clan. He served as an aedile, overseeing public works. Strabo supported the populares, who believed the common people’s wishes should bypass senatorial authority.
In 87 BC, Strabo controversially ran for consul without being a praetor first. A mob of armed senators, led by Gaius Marius, confronted and killed Strabo and his brother Lucius. Their heads were displayed, highlighting the toxicity of Roman politics.[7]
5. Publius Clodius Pulcher
Publius Clodius Pulcher, born in 93 BC, leveraged his family name to advance his career. Aligning with the populares, he used plebeian support to become tribune. His opponents saw him as a populist fanatic.
In 62 BC, he was involved in a scandal for sneaking into The Bona Dea disguised as a woman, offending Cicero. Clodius continued to stumble from scandal to scandal, alienating allies.
On January 18, 52 BC, Clodius clashed with Annius Milo on the Via Apia and was bludgeoned to death. His body was dragged to the streets of Rome and desecrated.
His murder left a power vacuum, exacerbating shifts in Roman power dynamics and setting the stage for the Roman Empire.[8]
2. Lucius Cornelius Cinna
Lucius Cinna, Julius Caesar’s father-in-law, was a key figure in the Marian faction. He was elected consul in 87 BC and served four terms. His election coincided with conflicts caused by Sulla. Cinna waged a civil war against Sulla’s supporters and clashed with the Senate, forming an alliance with Gaius Marius to crush their enemies.
In 84 BC, while preparing for a military campaign against Sulla, Cinna’s troops mutinied. He was mobbed and killed, marking the end of a prominent populares member.
Cinna’s death allowed rival factions, particularly the optimates, to strengthen their positions in the Senate.[9]
1. The Man Who Gives Dictators a Bad Name
Lucius Cornelius Sulla, though not assassinated, makes this list because of his victims. Rising through the military ranks, he was appointed commander in 88 BC but faced opposition from Gaius Marius.
Sulla marched on Rome and captured the city, setting a precedent for Julius Caesar. With Marius dead, Sulla targeted Marius’s supporters, creating the Proscription Lists. These lists led to the execution and property confiscation of thousands, including prominent figures and senators.
Sulla’s murder squads hunted down those on the lists. His actions marked the moment Rome tasted autocratic rule. Perhaps this memory led senators to end Julius Caesar’s life after he was declared dictator for life![10]
The Late Roman Republic was a period of intense political strife, marked by shocking assassinations. From the Gracchi brothers to Julius Caesar, power struggles often ended in bloodshed, shaping the course of Roman history and setting the stage for the Empire.
Which assassination do you find the most shocking? Leave your comment below!
