Cataclysm 90 BC: The Forgotten War that Almost Destroyed Rome

by Philip Matyszak

Firstly politics in Rome – never a gentle occupation – became increasingly cut-throat and the high stakes meant that elections became ever more competitive. Secondly, Roman aristocrats had their hands full competing with one another. They were extremely reluctant to widen the field by allowing outsiders to join the fray. Thirdly, those who were elected to office were those who had the financial resources to woo voters, buy allies and buy off competitors. As time went on and expenses went up, the only people who could afford to pay for all this were those who had held office already and had reaped the huge financial rewards that came with it. Since they had held office, these men did not pay for their own electoral campaigns, but for those of their children. At this point the top jobs in Rome became virtually monopolized by a small group of very wealthy families.