Page 19 - All About History - Issue 09-14

Democracy

(IN)FAMOUS
CONSULS

LUCIUS JUNIUS BRUTUS
509 BCE
The founder of the Roman
Republic, he was one of the first
consuls and is claimed to be an
ancestor of Marcus Junius Brutus,
one of Julius Caesar’s assassins.

Be a showman Intimidate your rivals
The better you present yourself to the people, the You mustn’t be afraid to use less than savoury means
03 higher your odds of becoming a consul. As Marcus 04 in order to get what you want. This can include JULIUS CAESAR
Tullius Cicero himself says: “Surround yourself with large inciting riots or hiring heavies – gladiators are particularly
numbers of people from every class and rank… Make sure effective options here – to beat people up. If you happen to be 100-44 BCE
your campaign has plenty of ceremony, brilliance and a general, even better; simply make use of your heavily armed Caesar was consul on five
separate occasions, before being
entertainment for the people.” troops to threaten disorder. murdered after declaring himself
a dictator for life.

MARK ANTONY
83-30 BCE
A consul on two occasions, he
later ruled with Octavian before
falling out, losing against him in
battle and committing suicide
with his lover, Cleopatra.

Indulge in bribery Become a mob favourite
Bribery is common, especially in these waning days of A man who has the support of the mob is a powerful
05 the Roman Republic. Should you decide upon this as 06 man indeed, and should help you in your quest to
an option, be aware that it can take two forms: direct bribery become a consul. Putting on a series of gladiatorial games –
(paying off officials with money in return for votes) or indirect preferably with a host of exotic animals – is a safe method of
(provision of free grain, entertainment and outdoor banquets). getting the mob on your side and willing to support you.

AUGUSTUS
How not to… seize power 63 BCE-14 CE
Lucius Sergius Catilina, more commonly known as Catiline, was a Formerly known as Octavian, he
prospective consul whose attempts to seize power went horribly first became consul in 43 BCE,
wrong. Having been forbidden to campaign for election as a before becoming the first Roman
consul at an earlier date due to facing charges of extortion (he was emperor in 27 BCE.
ultimately acquitted), he was later defeated in 64 BCE by Cicero.
Angered by this, he planned to take power by force, gathering
a number of followers by promising to cancel debts, as well as
appealing to the wants and needs of the poor. However, Cicero was
constantly kept abreast of Catiline’s actions, forcing him to flee
Rome after denouncing him as a traitor. Catiline later tried to enter
Gaul (France) with his army, but he was prevented from doing so by
forces led by general Gaius Antonius Hybrida in 62 BCE at Pistoria,
where he and the majority of his followers were killed.

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