M. Livius Drusus and Social War

Allies

• Continued discontent with refusal of Romans to grant citizenship
• Many non-Romans register themselves as Romans in census
• Consuls of 95 BC institute legal action to strip non-Romans of falsely acquired citizenship
  • Legally valid action
  • Politically unwise
• Allies begin to give up hope of acquiring citizenship legally

M. Livius Drusus

• V. wealthy son of man who undermined C. Gracchus in 123
• Self proclaimed "patron of senate"
  • Resented by many senior senators
• Tr. pl. 91
• Tries to solve all political problems in Rome with a series of laws
  • Tries to make broad coalition
    • grain law for urban plebs
    • colonies for rural plebs
    • reform courts by adding wealthiest equites to senate, which gets control of courts
  • Totality of laws opposed
  • Proposes citizenship for Itialian allies
• supported in senate by L. Licinius Crassus cos. 95, opposed by L. Marcius Philippus cos.
• Assassinated

Social War

• With death of Drusus, allies give up hope of getting citizenship peacefully
• Not all allies revolt
• Aims negative
  • If Romans won't give citizenship, they'll form their own "state"
• Several defeats inflicted on Roman armies in 90, 89
  • Marius serves as legate to consul L. Rutilius Lupus cos. 90, saves day after massive defeat of Lupus, but is snubbed by senate (temporary command given to less experienced commander, who also is defeated. Marius insulted by L. Cato cos. 89, who likewise suffers defeat
  • Consuls of 89 both given commands in north, so L. Sulla can continue in command in south, while Marius is given no command. Sulla favored as rising man, who runs for consulship of 88, while this is a good time to humiliate Marius.
• Romans promptly grant citizenship (consular lex Julia of 90)
• Rebels mostly subdued by 89