Transcript The destruction of Carthage during the Punic Wars. New

The Roman Republic
& Its Downfall
Crucial Questions:
A.) How could such a tiny city-state conquer the Mediterranean region?
B.) Why did the Republic fall?
C.) Can we draw comparisons from the development and fall of the Roman
Republic to the United States today?
D.) What key contributions did Rome make to the modern world?
E.) What are the key items of cultural literacy from Rome that we need to know?
Hypothetical reconstruction of Roman Forum in Imperial times.
Watercolor (18th century), Giuseppe Becchetti
The Roman Empire
Why was it able to conquer and what are Rome’s legacies?
Ancient Italy
(c. 6th 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
Beliefs & Values:
Military Valor & Loyalty to the State
Does this have a role in America too?
The ideal of the citizen/soldier/farmer was Lucius
Quinctius Cincinnatus. According to Roman legend,
Cincinnatus was tending his farm when a messenger
arrived, telling him that Rome was under attack and that
he had been elected dictator He was at first reluctant to
go, but the Senate pleaded with him. He defeated the
enemy tribe within a matter of weeks and then returned
to his farm.
And so, my fellow Americans, ask not
what your country can do for you; ask
what you can do for your country.
Peace Corps:
The Toughest Job You'll Ever Love
Government:
The Roman Republic (509 B.C. – 27 B.C.)
•
509 B.C.,Romans revolt against and defeat Etruscan king (monarchy) and establish
a republic.
– Power rests with the citizens who have the right to vote for their leaders.
– In Rome, citizenship with voting rights was granted only to free-born male
citizens.
The Roman Republic
(509
B.C.
– 27
STRUGGLE FOR POWER: CLASS CONFLICT
B.C.)
Equal Power is not present in the new republic
• 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 plebeians were the merchants, farmers, and artisans of Rome. They were allowed to
vote, but only Patricians were allowed in the senate. In 471BC, the plebeians elected a
tribune. Ten men represented the plebeians against any political oppression by the
consuls or the patricians. By 287BC, the laws passed by the plebeians were binding for all
Romans, including the patricians.
The senate met in the Forum, a marketplace in the valley among the hills that surround
Rome. The senators would rule on the military and foreign affairs, but the tribunes
protected the rights of the plebeians. When a tribune objected to a law, he would shout
“veto.” Veto means “I forbid” in Latin, the language of the Romans. If enough tribunes
objected, they could stop the law from passing
The Roman Republic (509 B.C. – 27 B.C.)
A “Balanced” Government
• Rome elects two consuls– Among the most powerful
families it was decided that
extraordinary powers be given to two men, who would eventually be called consuls. The
reason the Romans opted for two executives was an obvious attempt to prevent
tyranny. Both consuls possessed the highest military and civil authority in the state.
They could only serve for one year at a time. Only much later was it agreed that there
be at least a ten year interval between terms so as to prevent "unbridled ambition."
• Senate- chosen from patricians (Roman upper class), make foreign and
domestic policy
• Popular assemblies elect tribunes, make laws for plebeians
(commoners)
• Dictators- leaders appointed briefly in times of crisis (appt. by consuls
and senate)
Executive
Legislative
Judicial
Comparing Republican Governments
(and Empires)
• What similarities do you see in the governments of
the Roman Republic and the United States?
• What do you think is the most significant difference
between the Roman Republic and that of the United
States today?
http://eefy.editme.com/romeandus
http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,794163,00.html
The Roman Republic (509 B.C. – 27 B.C.)
THE TWELVE TABLES
•
•
•
451 B.C., officials carve Roman laws on twelve tablets and hung in Forum.
Laws confirm right of all free citizens to protection of the law
Become the basis for later Roman law (and Western Law)
Why were the Romans able to conquer Italy
& the Mediterranean World?
Expansion & Military Organization
The Roman Army
•
•
•
•
•
All citizens were required to serve
Army was powerful:
– Organization & fighting skill
Legion- military unit of 5,000 infantry (foot
soldiers) supported by cavalry (horseback)
Replaces Phalanx (clip)
Slowly develops into a Professional Army
• Romans defeat Etruscans in
north and Greek city-states
in south
–
Pyrrhus of Epirus:“Pyrric
victory”
"One more such victory and I shall be lost!"
• Treatment of Conquered:
– Forge alliances
– Offer citizenship
• By 265 B.C., Rome controls
Italian peninsula
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Rome’s Commercial Network
• Rome establishes a large trading network
• Access to Mediterranean Sea provides many trade
routes
• Carthage, powerful city-state in North Africa, becomes
Rome’s Rival
Rome’s Expansion Threatened
Chief Rival: Carthage
From its origins as a trading port, Carthage
became the Mediterranean’s ultimate city,
enjoying the best luxuries available –
precious metals, jewels and spices all poured
into Carthage’s harbours. Carthage was a
city of magnificent temples, glittering palaces
and luxury houses lived in by the rich
merchant classes who benefited from
Carthage’s trade. Their town houses were up
to six storeys high, built around central
courtyards. They also had private estates in
the countryside around the city, with large
houses and gardens backing on to extensive
plantations that benefited from complex
irrigation systems. Herds of cattle and flocks
of sheep pastured on the surrounding plains.
http://www.channel4.com/history/microsites/C/carthage/carthage_life.ht
ml#child_sacrifice
Carthage’s main port contained two linked
harbours, with a common entrance from the
sea 70 feet wide, which could be closed with
iron chains. The first harbour was rectangular
and used by merchant vessels, while the
second was circular and designed for military
use. Its shipyards and dry docks had a capacity
for 220 ships. The central island rose to a
considerable height, allowing Carthaginian
commanders to observe what was going on
at sea, while approaching ships had no clear
view of what lay within. A double wall
enclosed the docks of the circular harbor,
and gates allowed merchant ships to move into
the city without crossing the naval dockyards.
Archaeologists have discovered that the
harbors were built, or at least restored, as late
as 150 BC. So Carthage really was expanding
rapidly in the last years of Punic rule.
Punic Wars (264-146 B.C.)
Three Wars between Rome and Carthage
Carthage was the predominate trading
Power in the Mediterranean and an heir
Of the great Phoenician Civilization.
• 1st Punic War- Rome gains
control of Sicily & western
Mediterranean Sea.
Because Carthage was primarily a trading city, with
much of its trade route going over seas, Carthage
had a huge navy of more than 130 strong and big
ships. However, Carthage did not have a large or
skilled army. Carthage used its treasury to pay
mercenaries, most of which were from the
neighboring Numidia, however, this meant the
soldiers were less loyal to Carthage. Before Rome
could expand over seas, it would have to establish a
navy in a hurry. Different stories tell of a wrecked
Carthaginian ship that washed up along Roman
shorelines. Quickly, the Romans copied this new
ship design, building about 160 ships. This gave the
Romans an advantage in the number of ships.
Results of the First Punic Wars
The First Punic War (264 BC - 241 BC)
• Romans built their first navy
• Festering Rivalry Carthage, a
• Band of non-allied mercenaries
• Carthaginian navy suffered its first
defeat;
attacked Sicily, the Carthaginians
• Carthage was invaded for the first
time; the Roman army was thrashed
and the consul Regulus taken captive
and tortured to death; yet the Romans
demonstrated their ability to
accomplish a monumental task in a
short time; and the superiority of a
patriot force (Roman) over a
mercenary army (Carthage) was
established. Though the Romans
also gained Sardinia, Hamilcar ["He
whom Melkart (a deity) protects"]
Barca (the surname means
"lightning") took a new Carthaginian
force to Spain, where he proceeded to
reconquer lost territories there.
responded with force
• Romans claimed Sicily as their
own province and attacked.
Go to:
http://www.pchs1.com/ecourses/punicwar/punicwar.htm
and complete the activity for extra credit. Bring it proof
that you did the activity.
Punic Wars (264-146 B.C.)
2nd 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
Main events of the Second Punic War
Date
Event
218 BC
Hannibal defeats Romans at
Ticinus and Trebia in northern
Italy.
217 BC
Major defeat for Flaminius’
Roman army at Lake Trasimene
– 15,000 Romans killed.
216 BC
Hannibal’s victory at Cannae –
disastrous defeat for Rome.
205 BC
Scipio prepares invasion of
Africa. Mago invades Italy in
failed attempt to reinforce
Hannibal.
202 BC
Scipio defeats Hannibal at
Zama in north Africa.
201 BC
Peace concluded, ending
Second Punic War.
For Carthage, a peace even
more humiliating than in 241
BC followed. Its navy was
left with just 12 triremes
(warships), all overseas
territories were lost
(including Spain) and
reparations of 10,000 talents
were to be paid over 50
years. The bulk of the navy
was burned in full view of
the Carthaginians. Hannibal,
who had spent virtually all
his life outside Carthage,
became involved in Punic
politics, but fell out favour
and went into exile. In 183
BC, with Rome eager to
capture him, he took poison
to avoid surrendering to his
life-long enemy
Punic Wars (264-146 B.C.)
• 3rd Punic War- Rome
seizes Carthage
– Scipio- Roman Strategist
– Conquered citizens sold into
slavery, city burned and
ground salted
– Why? It’s a republic! How
could they?
By 151 BC, Carthage had paid the last of the indemnity payments and, Rome noticed, was enjoying a renewed
prosperity. Marcus Portius Cato, a powerful Roman orator, started talking up the threat of Carthage, catching the
popular mood. His speeches always ended with one phrase: ‘Delenda est Kathago’ – ‘Carthage must be
destroyed!’ When, in 150, Carthage declared war on King Masinissa of Numidia, an act prohibited by the 201 BC
peace treaty, Rome declared war on Carthage. The Third Punic War comprised a prolonged siege of the city,
starting in 149 BC. It took longer than the Romans expected, but by 146 BC, they were able to order the final
assault. The defences of the city were breached, the temples sacked and the obliteration began. It was a
gruesome end. Fire spread throughout the city for six days, and thousands were killed. Finally, 50,000
Carthaginians surrendered, to be sold into slavery. According to the city’s foundation myths, Dido burned herself
on a pyre as her lover Aeneas left for Italy to found Rome. In 146 BC, the wife of the Punic leader Hasdrubal
threw herself and her children in the flames of the burning temple as the city collapsed. It was the end of the Third
Punic War, and it was the end of Carthage.
Why were the Romans able to conquer Italy
& the Mediterranean World?
(Give a few reasons & explain)
Why did Carthage Lose?
Hannibal was never defeated in a single
important battle during 16 years in Italy, but
the momentum of his early victories didn’t last.
He had anticipated that many cities, with
grievances against Rome, would readily switch
allegiance. However, although he was
successful in persuading Gallic tribes to
support him, few Italian cities defected to the
Punic cause. Rome was particularly well
equipped to fight a war on several fronts,
which left the Carthaginians struggling to
recruit enough mercenaries. Without a major
port under Punic control, getting fresh supplies
of men and food was a logistical nightmare.
Apathy among the Carthaginian leadership also
worked against Hannibal: only one draft of
reinforcements ever reached him in Italy.
Capturing Sicily could have provided grain as
well as ports, but Rome retained control of the
island. Rome’s assimilation of its former
enemies was a brilliant achievement, and one
reason why Hannibal was so unsuccessful at
persuading Italian cities to support him. They
had become part of the Roman world, with a
depth of loyalty that the Carthaginians simply
couldn’t understand.
In Rome’s aggressive bid to become the ruling power of the
Mediterranean, the Carthaginians were its most celebrated victims.
But they weren’t alone – Rome and its mighty military machine
took on one state after another. In the same year that Carthage was
destroyed, Rome also conquered and destroyed Corinth.
Do you think the Roman Republic
owed its success more to its form of
government, or its army? Why?
The Destruction of Carthage Lays the Seeds for the
Destruction of the Roman Republic
The newly rich, who prospered with the extension of trade
and empire, resented their exclusion from power by the old
aristocracy. The urban poor, who had increasingly gathered in
Rome in growing numbers as large estates and slave labor
displace free peasant farmers, are increasingly discontented.
And the army, now more numerous, independent and
powerful than ever, is giving birth to new generations of
military leaders, who are happy to use the personal loyalty of
their troops to pursue their political ambitions.
The End of the Republic
What went wrong?
Great Expansion in the beginning was beneficial to the Republic but as the
Quic kT ime™ and a
territory increased the provinces became a burden or changed the Roman way
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of life.
1. War Reparations Decreased
2. Higher Taxes because of the cost to conquer and administer the provinces
Caused Inflation
3 Too Many People and Not Enough Food (Hannibal Destroyed Many of the
Fields as He Ravaged Throughout the Land)
4. Nobles Gained Power Which Means the Assembly of Tribes and
Slavery accounted for roughly every
Administration Had less Power.
third person in Italy. Slaves were
liable to extreme and arbitrary
5. Corruption was widespread. Officials Stole and Became Wealthy.
punishment from their owners; while
Especially in the Provinces
the death penalty for free Romans
a. The Proconsuls received no salary and were only in office 1 year so
was rarely invoked (and humanely
they took bribes.
executed), slaves were routinely
b. Publicans (tax collectors) had a fixed sum to collect and whatever they crucified. In the previous century,
collected over this amount they kept.
two slave revolts, both on Sicily, had
been put down at the cost of tens of
6. No One Took Care of the Fields (Too Many Men off to Protect the
thousands of lives.
Expanding Republic)
7. The Roman government owned much of the land in the new provinces and
leased it in very large estates called latifundia which also decreased the
role of the citizen- farmer. When they returned from wars their farms were
in disrepair and they often moved to the cities. (unequal distribution of the
wealth causes economic problems.)
8. The new wealthy class (traders and merchants) had little political power.
9. People were judged for their wealth instead of their character.
10. Real reformers murdered or silenced to protect the wealth of the rich
a. Gracchus's brothers murdered (133 & 121)
11. Slaves began doing the work and the Romans became dependant on them and curtailed their ability to
become citizens. The slaves often revolted caused continued stress on the economic and political systems.
The End of the Republic
Development of the Professional Army
The Gracchus' reforms were
motivated by their
observation that military
service had ruined many
small farmers
Marius Creates a professional army
People drawn largely from the poor from the cities, being a soldier was a profession, a career,
rather than a duty performed to Rome.State begins to pay for weapons, healthcare etc. for
soldiers.
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However questionable their political tactics at times were, the brothers Gracchus were to show up a fundamental flaw in
the way Roman society was conducting itself. Running an army with less and less conscripts to oversee an expanding
empire was not sustainable. And the creation of ever greater numbers of urban poor was a threat to the stability of Rome
itself.
Roman Architectual Highlights
Most important creations: arch, baked brick, acqueducts, and use
of cement (if a society can only introduce one invention, it could
do no better than this.) City planning--water, lead pipes, sewage,
•
•
•
•
•
•
fire protection, Water mills (late in Empire)
Republican period - built temples and basilicas and improved
aqueducts, roads, and sewers
Forums, temples, bath buildings, amphitheaters, and apartment
blocks were built
Romans constructed Circus Maximus and Colosseum
Pantheon: temple for all gods and goddesses - has a skylight and
dome--> oldest continually used building in the world
Used concrete and various kinds of stone to build
Adapted Etruscan arch and dome
Aqueduct
•An engineering structure designed to bring huge
quantities of pure water into the city. The ushaped stone channel that carries the water is at
the top of the arcuated structure that is used to
span valleys between the source and the city.
Summary of Events
 First invasions, 3rd century A.D.
 Christianity legal early 4th century, state religion late 4th cent.
 Empire split 4th century - Eastern half endures as Byzantine
Empire to 1453
 Last emperor (by then only a puppet) deposed 476 A.D.
 One late Emperor, Majorian (457-461) attempted to reverse
trends but failed
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Roman Empire Splits, 395 A.D.
Fall of Rome
Fall of Rome
Fall of Rome
Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire,
 “Immoderate greatness”--growth of bureaucracy and military
 Wealth and luxury
 Barbarian invasions (cause or symptom?)
 Spread of Christianity
 Not once did the local populace ever rise up to oppose the barbarian
invaders. Lack of innovation. Best indicator, the total lack of interest
in geography.
 Slavery. The attitude that any services could be bought, and
therefore Romans need not bother with practical matters.
 Religious cultism and mysticism
 Lead poisoning? (not from lead pipe but from lead-based ceramic
glazes)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decline_and_Fall_of_the_Roman_Empire