Famous People of Rome

Cincinnatus
Was a political figure in the Roman Republic. He served as Consul in 460 and 438 BC He worked on his farm until he was called to act as dictator during a war with the Aequi. After fulfilling his duties, he returned to his farm.

Lucretia
She was the wife of Lucius Tarquinius Collatinus. While he was away, Lucius and the kings son, Sextus Tarquinius, were debating on the loyalty of wives. Sextus offered to visit Lucius wife to see what she was doing. When he stayed there he raped her and once she told to her husband and father what had happened, she killed herself. This led to the expulsion of the Tarquins.

Tiberius Gracchus
As a plebian tribune, he made reforms of certain legislatures which caused a lot of turmoil. These reforms threatened the holdings of rich landowners in Italy. He was murdered, along with many of his supporters by members of the Senate and supporters of the Optimate faction.

Gaius Gracchus
He was the brother of Tiberius Gracchus. He was a Roman politician and his reformation ideas caused a constitutional crisis and he was killed in 121.

Gaius Marius
Gaius Marius is known for being elected consul seven times and for his civil war with Sulla. He also made the most impact upon Rome by his reformation of the military and his opening up the military to all citizens instead of just the wealthy.

L. Cornelius Sulla
He was a Roman general and statesman. He is unusual in the fact that he held the consulship twice as well as a dictatorship. Sulla distinguished himself with military victories in Asia Minor and in the Social War between Rome and other Italian cities.

Spartacus
He was the leader of a rebellion made up of slaves and gladiators that turned into a full scale war in 73-70 AD.

Horatius
King Tarquin the Proud was exiled from Rome. He promptly went to the Etruscans and asked for help. He got an army and attacked Rome. Horatius blocked the bridge which the army was using, thus saving Rome.

Mucius Scaevola
During the time when Tarquin the Proud was trying to regain his throne, Mucius snuck into Tarquins camp with the intention of killing him. He accidentally killed one of Tarquins secretaries and was caught. Before they could torture him, he put his hand into the fire and burned it. Tarquin was impressed and allowed him to go free. Thus he got Scaevola added to his name which means left hand.