Roman Politics During the Jugurthine War

Abstract

The Jugurthine War occurred within the transitional period of Roman politics between the Gracchi and the rise of military dictators. The era of the Numidian conflict is significant, for during that interval the equites gained political strength, and the Roman army was transformed into a personal, professional army which no longer served the state, but dedicated itself to its commander. The primary objective of this study is to illustrate the role that political events in Rome during the Jugurthine War played in transforming the Republic into the Principate.