Roman Politician Test

Higher scores indicate Optimates tendencies: protecting privilege, strengthening Senate authority, preferring traditional oligarchy. Cato absolutely believed in ancestral customs (mos maiorum), and Cicero championed Senate-centered politics. Lower scores indicate Populares tendencies: pursuing land redistribution, grain laws, expanding plebeian rights. The Gracchi brothers tried to distribute public land to poor citizens, and Caesar provided land and grain to the poor.

Higher scores indicate preference for concentrated power and strong leadership. Sulla exercised absolute power as dictator, and Pompey eliminated Mediterranean pirates through special authority. Caesar became perpetual dictator and neutralized the Senate. Lower scores indicate emphasis on power distribution and checks. Cicero idealized separation of powers and mixed constitution, and Brutus tried to revive the republic by assassinating the dictator. Cato rejected any concentration of individual power.

Higher or lower doesn't mean better or worse. History shows politicians who achieved greatness from extreme positions and those who failed from moderate ones.

Extreme success cases: Caesar (Populares + Dictatorship) changed history through Gallic conquest and Roman reforms, Sulla (Optimates + Dictatorship) ended civil war through dictatorship. The Gracchi brothers (Populares + Republic) attempted social transformation through reforms.

Extreme failure cases: Clodius (extreme Populares) plunged Rome into chaos with violence, and Cato (extreme Optimates) failed to save the republic due to stubbornness and committed suicide.

The duality of moderation: Pompey (moderate) became a hero through early pirate suppression but lost to Caesar due to indecisiveness. Lepidus (moderate) participated in the triumvirate but lost power due to incompetence. Moderation doesn't always guarantee safety or success.