Chris Stirewalt hosts historian and podcast host Mike Duncan to discuss the Roman Empire and its relevance to the United States. They delve into Roman history, the motivations of the Capitol building stormers, and explore concepts of autocracy vs. republicanism. They also discuss historical instances of political conflicts and the impact of the progressive movement.
The Roman Republic faced internal tensions between the wealthy aristocracy and the lower class in terms of access to land and citizenship.
The introduction of violence in Roman politics during the Gracchi brothers' era marked a significant shift in the political landscape.
The decline of the Roman Republic and the rise of Octavian as the first Roman Emperor were characterized by civil wars and the consolidation of power through purges and prescription lists.
Deep dives
The Rise of Rome and the Dominance of the Roman Empire
The podcast explores the historical context of the Roman Empire and its dominance in the Mediterranean world. Starting as a small city-state, Rome went through a series of conquests, including the Punic Wars and the acquisition of Greek territory, before becoming the dominant power in the region. The Roman Empire's triumph over its enemies led to internal tensions between the wealthy aristocracy and the dispossessed lower class, particularly in terms of access to land and citizenship. The episode highlights the significance of citizenship and the struggle for equality within the Roman Republic.
The Introduction of Violence in Roman Politics
The podcast delves into the introduction of violence into Roman politics during the turbulent period of the Gracchi brothers. Tiberius Gracchus, a Roman Tribune, attempted to enact a land redistribution bill to address the growing inequality and dispossessed lower class. However, the Roman aristocracy, resistant to giving up their property rights, opposed this measure. The clash led to the riotous scene of an election, resulting in violence and deaths. This event marked the escalation of political violence within Rome and paved the way for further conflicts.
The Fall of the Roman Republic and the Transition to Empire
The podcast explores the decline of the Roman Republic and the rise of Octavian, later known as Augustus, as the first Roman Emperor. The period following the Gracchi brothers was marked by a series of civil wars, with major political figures such as Caesar, Pompey, Marius, and Sulla vying for power. Stability was only achieved when Octavian emerged victorious and established the Pax Romana. Octavian's consolidation of power included purging his enemies through prescription lists. The podcast also draws comparisons between the Roman gerontocracy and the challenges of transitioning political power to the next generation.
The Power of Tradition and the Unwritten Constitution of the Roman Republic
The Romans valued tradition and wanted to maintain the status quo without progress or improvement. Tiberius challenging the tradition of serving for one year as Tribune and running for re-election was seen as a threat by the aristocracy. The conservative aristocrats violently opposed Tiberius, leading to a fight where Tiberius was beaten to death. This incident marked a shift towards using violent force in Roman politics.
The Rise of Violence and Instability in the Roman Republic
The violence and instability in the Roman Republic continued with Gaius Grakis, Tiberius' younger brother, who was killed for his reform efforts. This led to street tufts and swordsmen being hired by political figures as tensions escalated. The conflicts escalated into a tit-for-tat situation with killings and revenge. Eventually, Roman politics became settled by brute force, paving the way for civil wars and the rise of powerful leaders like Caesar, Pompey, and Octavian.
Why do men really think about the Roman Empire? If that question has been keeping you up at night in recent weeks, you’ll want to tune in to the latest Remnant for some conclusive answers. Jonah’s away again on a wild expedition through the commonwealth, which means it’s up to Chris Stirewalt to host today’s crash course in Ancient Roman politics and history. His guest—making an eagerly anticipated return to the program—is Mike Duncan, host of the oft-plugged Revolutions podcast, bestselling historical author, and noted influencer for the toga community. If you don’t know your Caesar from your Caligula, their conversation will get you up to speed. And it’ll also help you appreciate what relevance Rome has to the contemporary United States.
