Read the biography of the novel

Gennady Mikhailovich Levitsky Mark Crassus Roman “Mark Crassus” is the life and death, successes and failures of the Roman senator, consul, triumvir, military leader, the richest man in the eternal city and the first entrepreneur in world history. In the book, almost all the information about this amazing person, which came to us through the thickness of two millennia, was reflected in the book.

The reader in an exciting form will receive a lot of information about the habits and life of the Romans, about the most interesting facts from the life of the last titans of the dying republic. He will not only get acquainted with the most striking period of Roman history, but will also be able to find parallels that bring the time of Crassus closer to the modern stage of our history.

Mark Crassus is a unique person, but in two thousand years that have passed since his death, a great many insanely talented people - just like him - reached the top of power and ended tragically - at the bottom of a bottomless abyss. In order not to repeat the mistakes of our distant ancestors, at least you will have to know their lives. The events described in the book took place from 88 to 53.

Place of action: Rome, Italy, Africa, Greece, Mesopotamia - wherever the hero of the novel left his mark. From the author, what was the state in which the heroes of the novel - real historical personalities lived? The clock of history repulsed the last minutes of the old Roman Republic, and the empire was in a hurry to replace it. But - that for history only a moment is a whole life for a person.

The change of the state system is an extremely long and painful procedure, and Rome paid too high a price for it. It was a time of great victories and terrible defeats; the time when ancient foundations and traditions collapsed, and laws were violated for the sake of and the benefits of one person; The time when human blood was valued no more than wine. What happened in the 1st century.

Europe, Asia, Africa, the Mediterranean Sea, quarters and the streets of the eternal city - all became the battlefield where Roman citizens fought with their own compatriots. The rebellions, uprisings and internecine wars of the Roman commanders have become a common occurrence. The losses in the civil wars were such that they can only be compared with losses in the Second Puni War, the most bloody in the history of Rome.

It would seem that the state, torn by the troubles and strife, should become a mild prey of neighbors. But here is one of the phenomena of the extraordinary vitality of Rome. It is in the 1st century. Solving internal problems with the help of fire and sword, the Romans “between the matter” conquered many peoples in three parts of the world: Europe, Asia and Africa. Rome annexed eighteen new provinces.

Here they are: Kilikia - formed in 92. Rome fought with several opponents at once. He waged an extremely difficult war with Spartak, a protracted war in Spain with rebellious quints by a Certor. At the same time, Pronsul Mark Lukull subjugated the Thracians, and his brother Luculi smashed the troops of the Pontic king Mithridates. Where did Rome draw strength to fight at a few fronts at the same time?

We will receive an answer to this question if we turn to the history of the Yugurtin War, which Rome led with the Numidian king with a war with a small African state seemed easy, but in the end stretched for many years. The legionnaires fought extremely reluctantly, and their commanders even received gold from the south for one or another connivance. Rome suffered failure for failure, and the end was not visible to a shameful war.

The situation changed only when in the city, first of all, Mari took up the army. Before him, only wealthy citizens were recruited to the Roman legions, and the appropriate property qualification was established. According to Roman laws, weapons had the right to wear only worthy, whose movement and real estate served as a reliable guarantee. The cavalry was completed from the rich class of the horsemen, who were obliged to appear in service with their own horse and armed at their own expense.

During the war, all the vices and flaws of the Roman military system appeared against the Numidian king. Wealthy landowners dreamed not about battles, but about how alive to return to their villas and vineyards.

Their farms brought good profit, and military booty was a small reward even with a successful military company. The riding class did not have a desire to risk life at all. It was engaged in usury, trade and other profitable affairs. During the South War, the small cavalry was a kind of honorary guard under the warrior and did not play any role on the battlefield. Mari began to recruit the poorest Roman citizens in the legions.

They were armed at the expense of the state and studied according to an accelerated system similar to the system of preparing future gladiators. Not only Roman citizens, but also a contingent from among the allies, as well as the indigenous population of the provinces were involved in the service. They did not take the cavalry in accordance with property census, but preferred those who could handle the horse, stay in the saddle and wanted to serve.

The horse also gave the state.The Roman who lived in the starvation now received a good ration, a monetary salary, his share in prey and did not at all seek to return to the times of a joyless existence. His way of life was the war, and the advancing world did not promise anything good. His skill grew with each battle, and with him a salary and hope, becoming a veteran, get a good plot of land.

The army became professional and more combat -ready. This is the positive result of the reform of Guy Maria, but later the negative consequences of its transformations were manifested. This was no longer the Roman people, but a separate military leader. The legionnaires were personally devoted to their commander and are ready to fulfill any of his orders. And devotion was the higher the more successful the military leader was, the more material wealth he could deliver to his legionnaires.

The army idolized the commander who could win. Under his beginning, the legionnaires agreed to go anywhere and fight against anyone. Weapons in the hands of a professional are the key to victory over the enemy, but weapons in the hands of a person not burdened with property and moral principles are terrible power. He fights for prey with enemies, but on occasion, not averse to lifting the sword and on his fellow citizens.