List of Roman civil wars and revolts

Tetrarchy map3

List of Roman Civil Wars and Revolts encompasses the numerous internal conflicts that plagued the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire from its inception in the 8th century BC to its fall in the 5th century AD. These conflicts were instrumental in shaping the political landscape of Rome and had profound effects on its governance, military practices, and society.

Roman Republic (509–27 BC)

The Roman Republic witnessed a series of civil wars and revolts, primarily driven by power struggles among its leading generals and politicians, social inequality, and demands for political reform.

Early Conflicts

• Roman-Etruscan Wars: A series of conflicts during the early Republic period, as Rome sought to expand its territory and influence against the Etruscan city-states.
• First Samnite War (343–341 BC): Part of the Samnite Wars, involving Rome and the Samnite tribes of the Italian peninsula.

Social and Political Conflicts

• Conflict of the Orders (494–287 BC): A prolonged struggle between the Patricians and the Plebeians of Rome, leading to significant social and political reforms.
• First Servile War (135–132 BC): A major slave uprising against Roman authority on the island of Sicily.

Late Republic Civil Wars

• Sulla's First Civil War (88–87 BC): Initiated by Lucius Cornelius Sulla to seize control of Rome and the Roman army.
• Sulla's Second Civil War (82–81 BC): A continuation of Sulla's efforts to establish his authority over Rome, resulting in his dictatorship.
• Spartacus Revolt or Third Servile War (73–71 BC): A massive slave revolt led by Spartacus against Roman slavery and oppression.
• Catiline Conspiracy (63 BC): A plot led by Lucius Sergius Catilina to overthrow the Roman Republic.
• Caesar's Civil War (49–45 BC): A pivotal conflict between Julius Caesar and the Optimates led by Pompey the Great, culminating in Caesar's dictatorship.

Roman Empire (27 BC–AD 476)

The transition from Republic to Empire did not end the internal strife. The Roman Empire, both in its unified and later divided (Western and Eastern) forms, continued to experience civil wars and revolts.

Early Empire Conflicts

• Year of the Four Emperors (AD 69): A year of civil war following Nero's death, involving the rapid succession of four emperors.
• Jewish Revolt (AD 66–73): A major rebellion of the Jewish population in Judea against Roman rule.

Crisis of the Third Century

• Crisis of the Third Century (AD 235–284): A period marked by numerous usurpers, internal conflicts, and economic collapse, severely weakening the Roman Empire.

Late Empire

• Tetrarchy Wars: Conflicts arising from Diocletian's establishment of the Tetrarchy, leading to a series of civil wars over succession and power.
• Constantine's Civil Wars: A series of conflicts that ultimately led to Constantine the Great's consolidation of power and the establishment of Constantinople as the new capital.
• Fall of the Western Roman Empire (AD 476): Marked by a series of internal conflicts and barbarian invasions, culminating in the deposition of Romulus Augustulus and the end of the Western Roman Empire.

Impact

The constant state of civil war and internal conflict had lasting impacts on Rome. It led to significant military, social, and political changes, including the transition from Republic to Empire, the centralization of power, and the spread of Christianity. These wars also strained Rome's resources, weakened its control over the provinces, and contributed to its eventual decline.