"...from the Gracchi onwards (including Livius Drusus, perhaps Catiline, the rebellion of Lepidus, the civil war, the social war, and onwards) anyone (including, of course, Caesar) who tried to make substantive reforms that hit the entrenched interests of those in power - was murdered."

Ever since I had to write an essay on the subject of how Hannibal changed the Roman military machine I've become increasingly interested in the Second Punic War and the period immediately succeeding it, and personally, I've come to the conclusion that there's a really strong case for arguing that the 'Fall of the Roman Republic' began in 210BC when Publius Cornelius Scipio (later to become Scipio Africanus)was appointed proconsul and sent to fight the Carthaginians in Spain. It was the first really exraordinary special commission and it set one hell of a precedent. Then think of how the conqueror of Hannibal ended up a virtual exile due to the small-minded and petty jealousies of a clique of senators (led by one Marcus Porcius Cato) determined to drag him down. Also, just look at the career of one of my favourite (in terms of being interesting) Romans: Titus Quinctius Flamininus, and his dealings with the Senate and with provincials.