Wars, Uprisings, and Conflicts - Ancient History: Rome

The First Triumvirate was an infamous unofficial alliance between Julius Caesar, Pompeius Magnus (Pompey the Great), and Marcus Crassus.

It lasted from roughly 59 BCE to 53 BCE and ended with the death of Marcus Crassus at the hands of the Parthians.

Following Marcus Crassus' death, Julius Caesar and Pompey would go on to fight a civil war with each other, ultimately ending in Pompey's death and firmly establishing Julius Caesar's role as dictator for life.

In 49 BCE, Julius Caesar led a single legion south Across the Rubicon which marked the border between Gaul and Italy, breaking Roman law and leading to the start of the Roman Civil War.

This action has led to the idiom "crossing the Rubicon," which means to make a decision or perform an action that goes past the point of no return.

Cincinnatus was a consul of Rome during the era of the Roman Republic. He also served as temporary dictator during a time of great crisis. He led the defense of the city of Rome against invading “barbarians,” and, for voluntarily surrendering his absolute authority, he is often regarded as an example of honor and civic virtue.

The Battle of Actium was a naval engagement fought between the forces of Octavian and the combined fleet of Mark Antony and Cleopatra in 31 BCE. It culminated in total victory for Octavian and brought to an end any realistic chance that Mark Antony had of winning the war of the Roman Republic. Mark Antony would soldier on for another year, but eventually his army deserted him and Cleopatra committed suicide.

The Social War was fought between Rome and her former allies in Italy. A collection of city-states who were dissatisfied with Roman rule in central and southern Italy rebelled in 91 BCE. They were swiftly crushed by the Roman Republic, but to prevent future conflict the government of the Roman Republic conceded to most of the rebels’ demands.

Marcus Crassus first emerged to prominence as a commander in the army of Lucius Sulla. In the political turmoil that followed Sulla’s reforms, Crassus amassed an immense personal fortune and became the wealthiest man in Rome. Crassus would later form the First Triumvirate, with Pompey and Caesar, which collectively governed Rome for ten years before Crassus’ death at the Battle of Carrhae in 53 BCE.

Marcus Crassus first gained widespread notoriety in the Roman Republic for commanding the forces of Lucius Sulla in the latter’s takeover of the Roman Republic. Crassus later gained political success and fame when he led the Roman army that defeated the slave uprising of Spartacus.

The Battle of Pharsalus was fought in 48 BCE, between the forces of the Roman Republic loyal to Pompey the Great and the experienced legions of Julius Caesar. It ended in victory for Julius Caesar and forced Pompey to flee to Egypt, where he was promptly murdered. The Battle of Pharsalus allowed Caesar to consolidate his power in Rome and eventually have himself declared dictator for life.

The Pyrrhic War was fought between the rapidly growing Roman Republic (supported by Carthage) and the declining power of Magna Graecia. It was one of the most important conflicts in the Roman unification of Italy and contributed to the eventual Roman conquest of the Greek-speaking world.

Spartacus was a former gladiator and slave who led a slave uprising during the waning years of the Roman Republic. The so-called Third Servile War was the last of a series of slave uprisings in the Roman Republic. It was also the most successful and for a time, in 72 BCE, it looked like the city of Rome might be threatened itself. The rebellion was eventually crushed by a Roman army led by Marcus Crassus.

The Social War was fought in the early years of the first century BCE, between Rome and an alliance of dissatisfied Italian city-states under Roman control. Lucius Sulla led Roman armies to many successful victories in the Social War, which enabled him to become powerful and popular enough to seize the dictatorship of Rome for himself.

The history of Rome is the history of constant power struggles. For example, Julius Caesar and Pompey the Great; Lucius Sulla and Gaius Marius; Hannibal and Scipio Africanus; Octavian and Mark Antony. However, Marcus Crassus and Tiberius Gracchus were neither rivals for power nor contemporaries. Marcus Crassus formed part of the First Triumvirate with Julius Caesar and Pompey the Great. Tiberius Gracchus is most well known for his failed attempts at reforming land ownership in the Roman Republic.

The Battle of Actium was fought in 31 BCE. It was the final battle of the the civil war between Octavian and Mark Antony. It ended in victory for the forces of Octavian (who later had himself crowned Augustus Caesar). It also led to Rome taking control of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt.

The Battle of Carrhae was fought in 53 BCE between the forces of the Roman Republic (led by Marcus Crassus) and the forces of the Parthian Empire. The battle ended in defeat for the Roman armies and witnessed the death of Marcus Crassus. Crassus had been one of the members of the First Triumvirate, along with Caesar and Pompey, and the wealthiest man in Rome.

By far the most significant military action of the Flavian dynasty was Titus' siege and destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE. The siege was bloody, and near genocidal in nature, but was considered a major victory for the Empire at the time, and was by far the largest military action of the Dynasty, in terms of man-power and scale.

The Jewish people of Rome held several rebellions against the Empire in the first and second centuries CE. These revolts spurred from various emperor's lack of regard for Jewish customs and practices, and from disagreements on taxation. The other answers are incorrect because these peoples generally assimilated into Roman culture over time.

The northernmost province of the Roman empire was Brittania, what we would call the United Kingdom, so that would be the best choice. The Roman Empire did hold Gaul - France and northern Italy - and various parts of Germany for many years, but they were not the northernmost provinces. Lastly, the Roman Empire never held territory in Denmark or Ireland, so neither of those countries would be good choices.

Vespasian was the last of four emperors who ruled during the Year of Four Emperors, following the death of Emperor Nero. Vespasian rose to power in Rome, after leading the suppression of the Judean rebellion in 69 CE. He seized power that same year and ruled as the ninth Roman Emperor until 79 CE.

Tiberius was one of the most accomplished conquerors in the history of the Roman Empire, not to mention the second Emperor of Rome. He led the conquests of large parts of northern Europe (then called Germania) during the reign of Augustus Caesar. During his own subsequent reign, he ordered his adopted-son Germanicus to continue the conquest of northern Europe.