Crisis management during the Roman Republic : the role of political institutions in emergencies

'Crisis' is the defining word for our times and it likewise played a key role in defining the scope of government during the Roman Republic. This book is a comprehensive analysis of key incidents in the history of the Republic that can be characterized as crises, and the institutional response mechanisms that were employed by the governing apparatus to resolve them. Concentrating on military and other violent threats to the stability of the governing system, this book highlights both the strengths and weaknesses of the institutional framework that the Romans created. Looking at key historical moments, Gregory K. Golden considers how the Romans defined a crisis and what measures were taken to combat them, including declaring a state of emergency, suspending all non-war-related business, and instituting an emergency military draft, as well as resorting to rule by dictator in the early Republic. Crisis is the defining word for our times and it likewise played a key role in defining the scope of government during the Roman Republic. Crisis Management during the Roman Republic is a comprehensive analysis of several key incidents in the history of the Republic that can be characterized as crises, and the institutional response mechanisms that were employed by the governing apparatus to resolve them. Concentrating on military and other violent threats to the stability of the governing system, this book highlights both the strengths and weaknesses of the institutional framework that the Romans created. Looking at key historical moments such as the Second Punic War (218201 BC), the upheavals caused by the Gracchi (133 and 121 BC), the conflict between Marius and Sulla (88 BC), the conspiracy of Catiline (63 BC), and the instability following Caesar's assassination in 44 BC that marked the end of the Republic, Gregory K. Golden considers how the Romans defined a crisis and what measures were taken to combat them, including declaring a state of emergency, suspending all non-war-related business, and instituting an emergency military draft, as well as resorting to rule by dictator in the early Republic. Prologue : The Winter Of Discontent -- Crisis And The Sources For Crisis And Governmental Responses -- The Roman Dictator -- States Of Emergency : The Tumultus Declaration -- States Of Emergency : The Iustitium Edict -- The Senatus Consultum Ultimum -- Crises Resolved By Other Means -- The Winter Of Discontent And The Summer Which Led To A Fall -- The Evolution Of Crisis Response During The Roman Republic -- Final Thoughts. Gregory K. Golden. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 229-240) And Index. This book provides a detailed examination of internal and external crises in the Roman Republic, illuminating the inner workings of the Republic. Looking at key historical events from the rise of Roman power to the end of the Republic, Gregory K. Golden considers how the Romans defined a crisis and what measures were taken to combat them.