Question: A​‌‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍​ political crisis plagued the Roman Republic from 59-49 BCE; How significant was t​‌‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍​he Senate to this crisis?

Expert answer

The Roman Republic was plagued by a political crisis from 59-49 BCE. The Senate was very significant to this crisis, as it was the body that made decisions regarding the crisis. The optimates, who were the conservative faction of the Senate, wanted to maintain the status quo and prevent any change that would challenge their power. The populares, on the other hand, were the more radical faction that wanted to address the needs of the people. This led to a series of civil wars that eventually resulted in the rise of Julius Caesar.

Caesar was assassinated in 44 BCE by a group of senators who feared his power. This led to another civil war between Caesar's supporters and his assassins. The war ended with the victory of Caesar's nephew Octavian, who became the first Roman Emperor. The Roman Republic was replaced by the Roman Empire and the Senate lost its power.

The Senate continued to exist under the Roman Empire, but its role was much diminished. It was no longer the primary decision-making body and its members were hand-picked by the Emperor.

The Senate did not play a significant role in Roman politics after the fall of the Empire. It was eventually abolished by Emperor Constantine in the 4th century CE.