Transcript Ancient Rome (c. 509 B.C. – 476 A.D.)

Geography
• Italy
• 1st settled along the Tiber River
• Geographic Advantages
–Low Mountains – Rome UNITES!
–Fertile Plains – Population Grows!
–Mediterranean –
Trade=Wealth=Power
• Result – Rome becomes
dominant
Who were the Etruscans?
• The “first” native
people of the
Italian Peninsula.
• Theocratic
monarchy ruled
focusing mostly in
modern Tuscany.
• Ruled from appx.
800 – 508 BCE
• Origin of the
Etruscans a
mystery – some
think Hungary
(language), Greek
(Customs), Lydia
(Herodotus),
maybe not even
original (Latins)
Etruscans (Cont.)
• Etruscans first to
introduce many
technological
achievements.
• May have provided
inspiration for Roman
Republic gov’t.
(Etruscan League)
• Romulus and Remus
originally in Etruscan
lands.
Romans take Control…
• ~600 B.C. – The
Etruscans Controlled
all of Italy
– Expelled from Rome
in 509 B.C.
• Romans now control
Rome
– By 200’s BCE all of
Etruscan culture will
be absorbed into
Rome.
So Who Were the Romans?
• A Mystery…
• Not exactly sure
where they came
from, but formed
Republic by 6th C
BCE.
• Romulus and
Remus story…
• Absorbed Greek
and Etruscan
culture.
• Absorbed
neighboring Latins
and adopted their
language.
• Created a gov’t
without religious
influence.
The Roman Republic
• Republic: gov’t in which representatives
and/or officials are chosen by citizens
• Elements of the R.R.
– Senate
– Tribune
– Consul
– Dictator
• 2 Classes of Roman
citizens
– Patricians
– Plebeians
2 CLASSES OF ROMAN
CITIZENS
Plebeians
• Mostly poor
• Farmers,
merchants,
soldiers,
artisans
• ~90% of
population
Patricians
• Wealthiest &
most powerful
citizens
(Controlled the
Senate)
• ~10% of
population
THE ROMAN SENATE
The Governing
body of Rome
 300 Members
 Officials elected
by citizens
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The Lawmakers
Only Patricians
could be Senators
TRIBUNES
 Added to the Senate at
by 450 BCE
 Protected Plebeians
 Prevented abuse of
Patrician power
 Victories:
–VETO! Power
–Written Laws – The
12 Tables
CONSULS
Two Patricians
 Chosen by Senators
 Supervise Gov’t
 Command Army
 Serve 1 year terms
 One Becomes
Dictator during war
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Class Struggles
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In early Rome there
were great struggles
over the Patrician’s
power and perceived
lack of power for the
Plebeians.
By 450 BC, the Plebian
Assembly forced the
writing of the Twelve
Tables which
guaranteed certain
rights.
Full rights by 287 BCE
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Patron-Client
relationship
between
Patricians /
Plebeians.
Oligarchy in
charge even after
plebian rights.
Constitution built
over time.
How Rome Becomes a Power…
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Stage 1 – Uniting all of Italy
Stage 2 – Conflict with Carthage and the
Punic Wars.
Stage 3 – Attacking and uniting the
Hellenistic World
The Roman Legions
 Rome’s
Army was its strength
 Superior organization
 Citizen soldiers fight for glory of
Rome and self.
 Fighting a privilege and a right.
Uniting Italy…
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The Romans were constantly at war with
their neighbors after appx. 500 BCE.
They were pushing against the local Latin
tribes, especially the Samnites by 321 BCE.
Despite being sacked by the Gauls in 345
BCE, they Romans dominated the northern
half of Italy by 290 BCE.
By the end of the Pyrrhic Wars against the
Southern Greek city states in 272 BCE Rome
controlled the majority of the Italian peninsula
– The Italian Confederacy…
The Punic Wars
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3 Wars: Rome vs. Carthage
•266 to 146 B.C.
Why did Rome and Carthage Throw
Down…
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Two Big Bullies on
the Block.
Expansion by both
led to territorial
threats (Sicily)
Rome becomes a
cosmopolitan city
and so was
Carthage.
First Punic War (264-241 BCE)
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Rome upset over
Carthaginian
conquest of Sicily.
Initially are beaten
soundly at the Battle
of Lipari Islands.
Builds huge navy to
counteract
Carthage’s superior
numbers.
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Used new ship type,
corvus, which
latched onto ships,
to bring army into
naval war.
After Carthages
defeat, huge
indemnities paid by
them to Rome.
Lead Up To the Second Punic
War
(218-201 BCE)
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After first war,
Carthage invades
Spain to gain
minerals.
Faced revolt of
Mercenary War –
Rome actually helps
Carthage.
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However, Rome
increases indemnity
owed and gains
Sardinia and
Corsica because
Carthage was under
siege.
Causes more
friction…
The Second Punic War
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By 218 BCE, the
Carthaginians were
paying back their
indemnity with
Spanish silver.
The Romans
accused the
Spanish governor,
Hannibal, of
crossing over
agreed lines.
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This led to war.
Hanibal was military
genius, and Rome
got lucky.
Rome also opened
a front with the
Macedonians
(Alexander’s
relatives) at same
time.
Hannibal Almost Victorius
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Hannibal crossed
Alps and attacked
Rome from north.
Took dozens of
elephants across
mountains, only 3
dozen remained at
end.
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Strategically and
militarily, Hannibal
almost ended
Rome.
Battle of Cannae –
Rome lost entire
60,000 person army
to Hannibal’s forces.
Interspersing of
troops and pincer
move.
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Romans decimated
and entire army
was gone.
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Hannibal quickly
moved on Rome to
siege them.
Rome’s Darkest Days….
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Hannibal trekked
around Italy for 15
years trying to get a
decisive blow,
however Rome
drafted a new army
and their allies
never waivered.
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Romans began
cutting off his
supplies.
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Romans then
defeated Carthage
in Spain via great
young General Scipio
Roma Victa
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Romans attack
Carthage proper.
Hannibal forced to
retreat from Italy and
face Rome on seas.
Romans defeat
Carthage and take all
property but the city
itself after Battle of
Zama
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Carthage
humiliated and
loses all power.
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Rome turns
attention to
Macedonia and
roundly defeats
them.
Rome Defeats Carthage
 The
2nd War
•Scipio
(Rome) vs.
Hannibal
(Carthage)
•Hannibal
invades
Rome
Carthaginian Elephant Armies
Hannibal invades from the North of Italy
He has trouble crossing the
Alps
The Third Punic War (149-146 BCE)
• Rome pissed that there are revolutions in
won territories.
• War launched to destroy mostly because
of Roman Senate – made absurd demands
of Carthaginians.
• Scipio Aemilanus sieges Carthage to
defeat.
• Total Destruction of Carthage
• City burned to ground
People sold into slavery
Result of Expansion
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The Romans then turned to Greece and
subjugated the entire area via the
Second Macedonian War.
Rome created a “jus gentium” law of the
nations which applied to all.
Rome built wealth off of Spanish silver
and taxes on Plebeians.
Greeks begin flooding as slaves and
immigrants…
Result of Expansion (Cont.)
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Slaves become 1/3 of Roman
Population.
Generally ruler ship conducted by local
officials with normal taxation.
Great building projects.
The Problems of Ruling
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Post 146 BCE, Rome faced internal
struggles.
Roman citizens take Rome for granted.
Latfundia’s
Gracchan Revolts
• Tiberius Graccus – Tribune who challenged
•
land owners by restricting access to state
lands
Killed by Senators with followers for seeking
two terms.
Gracchan Revolts….2.0
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Gaius Gracchus takes the cause…
• By 123 BCE, was elected Tribute.
• Attempted to appeal to Equites, plebeian
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businessmen
Still tried land reform like brother.
Also killed by Senate, along with followers.
Rome in major decline…
The Social War (90-88 BCE)
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After the end of Gracchan revolts, the
Consul Marius gained favor with army by
promising them wealth and higher
payment – set precedent.
Italian Allies sought equal citizenship –
Rome refused and Generals begin
fighting for power.
Eventually Consul Julius Caesar sought
a Lex Julia – or citizenship extension to
all allies.
The Social War Cont.
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After the war was over, Senate offered
command to a General Sulla to put down
a threat in Asia.
Marius was insulted, marched on Rome.
Rome thrown into chaos, especially
when Sulla returned.
He became dictator and instituted antidemocratic reforms – effectively killed
Assembly.
The Servile Wars
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All slave insurrections…
First Servile War – (135-132 BCE) – in
Sicily led by a prophet Eunus.
Second Servile War – (104-100 BCE) –
In Sicily led by Salvius.
Third Servile War – (73-71 BCE) –
Mainland Italy – led by Spartacus put
down by Pompey and Crassus
Julius Caesar’s Rise
Brilliant general
 Conquers Gaul
(modern France) &
invades Britannia
for “the Greatness

of Rome”
 The People Love
Him!
Julius Caesar Takes Power
 60
B.C. – Named
Consul
 ALLIANCE:
•The Triumvirate
•A Rule of 3
•Controls Rome
w/Pompey &
Crassus
The Triumvirate
Crassus
Pompey
Julius
Caesar
Caesar’s Absolute Power
 Crassus
dies in 53 BCE
 Pompey convinces Senate to
ask Caesar to relinquish
command of troops.
 “Crossing the Rubicon”
 Civil War in Rome: Caesar vs.
Pompey
•Caesar is Victorious
Caesar The Ruler
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Caesar elected Dictator in 49 BCE
(10 yr. term)
Massive reform of tax, land, and
legal code.
Extended citizenship.
Re-organized town gov’t.
Public works program = jobs
Death of Caesar
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In 44 BCE named dictator for life.
Senate worried about new powers and
the end of Senatorial rule.
Killed Caesar
Civil War….again
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Plunged the countryside into war over
power.
Cassius and Brutus sought power
Were defeated by a triumvirate of
Lepidus, Mark Anthony (two of Caesars’
trusted generals) and Octavian, his
adopted son.
Rise of Octavian
 Caesar’s
nephew
 Forms the
Second
Triumvirate with
Marc Antony and
Lepidus
The Second Triumvirate
Marc
Antony
Lepidus
Octavian
TROUBLE IN ROME:
Marc Antony meets Cleopatra
Octavian accuses them of
plotting to overthrow Rome
Octavian vs. Antony
 Civil
War: Octavian is Victorious!
EMPEROR
AUGUSTUS!!!
 Renamed:
Republic is dead!!!
 Rome is now an Empire!!!
 The