The Roman Republic & the Punic Wars

Hypothetical reconstruction of Roman Forum in Imperial times. Watercolor (18th century), Giuseppe Becchetti

Why were the Romans able to conquer Italy & the Mediterranean World?

-Journal: 3 Ideas

Ancient Italy

(c. 6 th century B.C.)

PEOPLE: The Latins

-

Rome

: “The First Romans”

The Etruscans

-Northern Italy

-Urbanized Rome:

Building Programs (the Forum) -

Influence on Romans:

the arch, alphabet

The Greeks

-Southern Italy and Sicily -

Influence on Romans:

art, architecture, literature, ..

government, engineering

GEOGRAPHY: -Tiber River & Mediterranean Sea

-Fertile Soil &

Strategic Location

The Roman Republic

(509 B.C.

– 27 B.C.

) • 509 B.C.

, Romans rejected Etruscan king (monarchy) and established a

republic

.

– Power rests with the

citizens

vote for their leaders.

who have the right to – In Rome,

citizenship

with voting rights was granted only to free-born male citizens.

The Roman Republic

(509 B.C.

– 27 B.C.

)

STRUGGLE FOR POWER: CLASS CONFLICT

•

Patricians-

wealthy landowners who held most of the power: inherited power and social status •

Plebeians-

(Plebs) common farmers, artisans and merchants who made up the majority of the population: can vote, but can’t rule –

Tribunes-

elected representatives who protect plebeians’ political rights.

The Roman Republic

(509 B.C.

– 27 B.C.

)

A “Balanced” Government

• Rome elects two

consuls

– one to lead army, one to direct government •

Senate-

chosen from

patricians

(Roman upper class), make foreign and domestic policy • Popular

assemblies plebeians

elect

tribunes

, make laws for (commoners) •

Dictators-

leaders appointed briefly in times of crisis (appt. by consuls and senate)

The Roman Republic

(509 B.C.

– 27 B.C.

)

THE TWELVE TABLES

• 451 B.C., officials carve Roman laws twelve tablets and hung in Forum.

on • Laws confirm right of all free citizens protection of the law to • Become the basis for later Roman law

The Twelve Tables

: Primary Source Review

• What can we infer about Roman values based on the laws cited in the Twelve Tables?

• How do the Twelve Tables compare to modern laws in the United States?

Why were the Romans able to conquer Italy & the Mediterranean World?

The Roman Army

• All citizens to serve were required • Army was powerful: – Organization & fighting skill •

Legion-

military unit of 5,000 infantry (foot soldiers) supported by cavalry (horseback)

Rome Spreads its Power

• Romans defeat Etruscans in south in north and Greek city-states • Treatment of Conquered: – Forge alliances – Offer citizenship • By 265 B.C.

, Rome controls Italian peninsula

Rome’s Commercial Network

• Rome establishes a large trading network • • Access to Mediterranean Sea trade routes provides many

Carthage

, powerful city-state in North Africa, soon rivals Rome

The destruction of Carthage during the Punic Wars. New York Public Library Picture Collection

Punic Wars

(264-146 B.C.

) • Three Wars between

Rome

and

Carthage

•

1 st Punic War-

Sea.

Rome gains control of Sicily & western Mediterranean

Punic Wars

(264-146 B.C.

) The destruction of Carthage during the Punic Wars. New York Public Library Picture Collection •

2 nd Punic War-

Carthaginian General Hannibal’s “surprise” attack through Spain & France – 60,000 soldiers and 60 elephants – Romans experience severe losses, but eventually ward off attacks & invade North Africa

Hannibal's troops crossing the Rhone River on their way to attack northern Italy.

The destruction of Carthage during the Punic Wars. New York Public Library Picture Collection

Punic Wars

(264-146 B.C.

) •

3 rd Punic War Carthage

Rome seizes – Scipio- Roman Strategist – Conquered people sold into slavery

Republic’s Last Gasp

• First Triumvirate: Julius Caesar, Pompey, Crassus • Julius Caesar challenges the Senate; crosses the Rubicon • 47 BCE virtual ruler, increased Senate to 900 • 44 BCE assassinated, Second Triumvirate – Octavius, Marc Antony, Lepidus – Battle of Actium 31 BCE End of an era

Beware the Ides of March…

The Roman Empire

• Caesar Augustus- purpose “to restore the republic” • 27 BC Augustus becomes “First Citizen” Princeps • ended strife- beginning of Pax Romanae • tried to impact life- morality, building • sculpture- deified him, literature as well • Consolidation- of power/ Senate limited • SPQR Senatus Populusque Romanus- banner

The Roman World

• Ever expanding- see maps- spread Pax Romanae • Politically - emperor/ dictatorship • Extended Roman citizenship as they spread • The Roman family- gradual less influence for fathers – family strong unit- run like the state – women become more independent- socially and ownership – politically active as wives of emperors- Livia, wife of CA

The Roman World (cont)

• Golden Age- literature Horace, Virgil, Ovid and Livy • Religion- state religion, Roman gods reflected Greek • emperor became “divine” - connection to gods – tolerant of other religions Mithras, Persian god of light – Christianity-”And there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus” – persecutions not as many as thought- made stronger – sometimes combined with others- e.g. Celtic gods

Slavery in the Roman World

• Important to building projects and way of life • Conquests supplied slaves so came from all over • Not related to ethnicity or skin color • Greek slaves educated and highly prized • Rebellions like Sparticus 73BCE occurred- Crassius – put down, crucified slaves and held a 10 day party for Rome – Slaves gradually won freedom and numbers decreased

The Roman Builders- All over the Empire

• Amazing accomplishments- Roads that still last • Aqueducts- bringing water to every important city • Temples for the gods- copied Greek style- massive • Forum- public area of the city- center- oration etc.

• Theaters- for entertainment- drama • Coliseums- more fun, fights, gladiators, animals • Baths- public places- series of rooms dif temps

Extent of the Roman Empire – 14AD

The Roman Emperors- the Good, Bad and Ugly

• Good- Marcus Aurelius-phil “citizen of the world” • Calm and unified- Trajan, Hadrian, walls and rebels • Bad- Caligula- named horse “consul”, Commodus, fought gladiators with blunted weapons, Nero, mass murder- ing his mother, pregnant wife, brother • Many later emperors were generals- most powerful could become emperor

The Roman legacy- writing and the law

• alphabet- should look familiar to us • Romans wrote down everything- very literate, passed on to use use every day, alma mater, alter ego, per capita, vice versa, a.m/, p.m., RIP ,list goes on ad infinitum • some consider the statutes and case law most important legacy- took idea that a written law can protect one person from another- put it into practice- Because it’s the laws means something to us- not necessarily in other cultures.

• tried to appeal to people through argument- idea of people deciding • magistrates important in Rome- e.g. of Apostle Paul

Why a Roman “Fall”

• Instability caused by no real plan of succession • Trouble on the borders • Morally bankrupt?

• Division of Empire- Diocletian • Later Constantine- new capitol Constantinople-

Christianity and Rome

• Helped Christianity spread- communication • Appeal- unrest, questioning of polytheism – explained spiritual aspects, Christ’s teachings – emphasis of eternal life – community exclusive (mystery religion) • Persecution- under Nero, blamed for fire – mostly tolerant, Christians refused to worship state • Effect- spread slowly- letters formed New Testament – officially tolerated 313 Edict of Milan

Spread of Christianity

The Barbarians at the Gates

• Pressure from Germanic tribes looking for safety • Huns pressured the Visogoths-410- ran into the empire • Vandals- 455- sacked Rome • Series of invasions- physical damage, but also intellectual – established German kingdoms in West- illiterate,look at art • The East survives- becomes Byzantium- keeps the learning from the ancient world

Barbarians in the 3

rd

Century

Rome in Crisis

• Death of Marcus Aurelius • Political turmoil • Generals fought for power • In one 50-year period there were 26 rulers

Attempts at Reform

• Diocletian • Divided the empire into Eastern and Western regions so it would be easier to govern • Fixed the prices of goods and services so people could afford them

Attempts at Reform

• Constantine • Religious toleration of the Christians • Built a new capital at Constantinople • Diocletian and Constantine slowed decline but could not stop it.

Invasion

• Hun invasion of Europe displaced many Europeans • Displaced Europeans fled into Rome

Causes of the Fall of Rome

• Economic Causes • High cost to maintain Army led to high taxes • Farmers left land and the middle classes fell into poverty • Military Causes • Changes in army membership • Loosened discipline • Moral Decay • Loss of faith in Rome • Values such as patriotism, discipline, and devotion to duty declined • Political Causes • Political turmoil • Fights for power • Government became autocratic and people revolted

Causes of the Fall of Rome

• Invasion • Invaded by Europeans when already weakened by other factors • Rome fell in 476 A.D. when Odoacer, a Germanic leader, took over Rome • However, the Eastern Roman Empire continued to exist