Below is the background of “role play assignment”. In the play, my role is the “moderates”, and the two attached documents are guide to write my position and a sample. The assignment once you read the documents and the reading are quite self-explanatory.

“On the Banks of the Rubicon”

The History
In 50 BCE, the Roman Republic was heading toward a political impasse. Julius Caesar’s proconsulship was set to expire. Afterward, Caesar was obliged to return to Rome as a private citizen, vulnerable to prosecution. Throughout the year, Caesar attempted to negotiate an arrangement that would allow him to run for consul in absentia and so preserve his legal immunity. But the Optimates insisted that Caesar follow the law and not receive any special treatment. In the first days of 49 BCE, Mark Antony as tribune proposed concessions on Caesar’s behalf. They included reducing the number of legions Caesar would control, and Pompey and Caesar both giving up their proconsulships. It is impossible to know whether these proposals were sincere or just propaganda. In any case, the Optimates rejected them and ejected Antony from a Senate meeting. Antony fled to Caesar, who then used the violation of Antony’s sacrosanctity as a casus belli. Caesar crossed the Rubicon, the border of his proconsular province, to march on Rome.

The Scenario
In our hypothetical scenario, just before Caesar invades Italy, omen readers report that Jupiter and other gods are furious with the Romans for pushing themselves to the brink of another civil war. The gods summon the Romans to the banks of the Rubicon to work out their political differences. The Romans are to make the necessary changes to their “constitution” to avoid war and to preserve their republic.

The Roles

• Caesar: You are the most beloved leader at the time. You have significantly expanded Roman territories and your victories are celebrated. Your conquests brought fabulous riches to the Roman people. But you have also created many political enemies throughout your career. Once you leave office, you can be prosecuted for actions you took as a magistrate, and your previous exploits, wealth, and reputation would not shield you. Is it possible for the republic to accommodate an extraordinary individual such as you, who have rendered monumental service to Rome? Your primary goal is your political survival. You can count on your popularity with the Roman people.
  
• The Optimates: Led by Cato, you oppose Caesar and what he stands for. Though Caesar comes from an illustrious family like many of you, he bases his power in winning over the people rather than his fellow upper class elites. Some of you are just envious of Caesar. But some of you sincerely worry that a popular but unscrupulous individual such as Caesar is the gravest threat to the republic. What does it mean for the republic when Caesar can place himself above the law and stay in office continuously because he has the people’s support? Your primary goal is to hold Caesar in check and prevent the rise of others like him. Your number is small but you exercise outsized influence because you belong to powerful families.
• The people: The vast majority of you have only a vague notion of democracy. You have no interest in running for office. Often, you do not even get to vote because of the structure of the assemblies or practical difficulties. The upper class shows little concern for you, but that is nothing new. Caesar has won over many of you by supporting legislations that benefitted the people and sending booty from Gaul. Your primary goal is to improve your livelihood (food, money, security, entertainment, etc.). That may be achieved by gaining more political power for yourself or giving more power to someone who can do it for you. Which method would you choose?
• The Populares: You are ambitious politicians who aim to gain power for yourself by appealing to the people. You may or may not actually care about the masses, but you have certainly decided that your path to power is through their support. If the people want to reward you with multiple re-elections or higher offices, what right do the upper class elites have to insist on the rigid career course? Your primary goal is your own advancement and/or betterment of the people’s conditions.
• The moderates: Represented by Cicero, you are interested in avoiding war and preserving harmony. Many of you, including Cicero, are newcomers to political power who have risen by following the existing rules. You have joined or aim to join the upper class elites, and you are eager to defend your newfound status. But you also want to cater to extraordinary individuals such as Pompey and Caesar, who are powerful and have done much for the republic. In December 50 BCE, many of you voted in the Senate (370 to 22) for a proposal that Caesar and Pompey let go of their armies at the same time. Your primary goal is maintaining the status quo, but you are willing to accept changes if that is what it takes to save the republic.