small farmers lost land to aristocrats
keep plebs happy (from revolting)
people hope for two things: bread and circuses
bread (free grain from state) circuses ( Circus Maximus, Colosseum)
Tiberius Gracchus recognized advantages of courting plebeians
military generals worked that angle - lead conquering army, gave them share in spoils
people join army to make decent living (now in it for the money)
Julius Caesar (100 - 44 BCE)
highly successful general
conquered huge territory - Gaul
good with politics
made common folks happy
made friends in high places
- Pompey - conquered Syria/Palestine
- Crassus - richest man
These three men formed the first Triumvirate ("rule of 3 men")
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