Transcript Roman Empire

Militaristic Roman Empire
War with Carthage
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Rome and Carthage begin
Punic Wars three wars
between 264-146 BCE
Rome defeats Carthage,
wins Sicily, in first 23-year
war
Hannibal – Carthaginian
general – avenges defeat in
second Punic War.
Attacks Italy through Spain
and France, doesn’t take
Rome.
Rome Triumphs
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Roman general Scipio
defeats Hannibal in
202 BCE
Rome destroys
Carthage, enslaves
people in last war
(149 – 146 BCE)
Economic Turmoil
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Gap between rich and poor
widens as Roman Republic
grows
Farmers, former soldiers,
lose to large estates;
become homeless
Two tribunes, Tiberius
and Gaius, try to help poor,
are murdered
Civil War – conflict
between groups within
same country
Military Organization
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Centuries — 100 armed men
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Maniples—3 Centuries
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Could move quickly through
difficult terrain (better than
phalanx)
Independent decisions (tribunes)
Legions—groups of Maniples
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Headed by Centurian (from the
ranks)
6000 men
Supported by light cavalry
Discipline
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Death for individual
insubordination
Decimation for cowardice
Collapse of the Republic
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Gracchus brothers
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Marius
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Violence used to impose one's will
Re-election to consulate
(many times)
Standing army
Sulla
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Assumption of dictator powers
Use of the army to override
councils
Proscription list
Julius Caesar
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Triumvirate
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Praised for his work in Spain
Appointed governor in Gaul (conquest)
Alliance with Crassus and Pompey to form the
triumvirate (not initially, but later elected)
Rivalry with Pompey after death of Crassus
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Uprising in Asia
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Crossing the Rubicon
Veni, vidi, vici—I came, I saw, I conquered
Conquest of Egypt
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Cleopatra
Julius Caesar
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Returned to Rome as a
conquering hero
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Procession for each territory on a
different day (Gaul, Africa, Spain,
Asia) and games for many additional
days
Offered crown (as emperor) twice
and refused it when people didn't
respond favorably
Dictator (rule by one man)
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Appointed for 10 years and then for
life
Caesar’s plans for Rome
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Calendar (July)
Libraries, theaters, other public works
Gave citizenship to people in Spain and
Gaul
Julius Caesar
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Murder of Caesar
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Killed by senatorial
opponents
Instigated by his
usurpation of power and
their fear that he would
become emperor
Died March 15, 44 BCE
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Stabbed by 20 senators
Brutus—illegitimate son or
best friend?
Mark Anthony and
Octavian
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Rallied against the
conspirators
Beginning of the Empire
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43 BCE Caesar’s supporters take
control; become Second
Triumvirate
Octavian, Mark Antony, Lepidus
alliance ends in jealousy and
violence
In 31 BCE, Mark Antony and
Cleopatra’s forces are defeated
at Actium
Octavian accepts title of
Caesar, “exalted one,” and rules
Rome
Pax Romana
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Under Augustus, Rome moves form a republic to
an Empire
Power no longer resides with citizens, but a
single ruler
Rome enjoys 200 years of peace and prosperity
known as Pax Romana
Agriculture and Trade
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Agriculture is the most
important industry in the
empire; 90% of Romans
farm
Common coin/currency
Vast trading network,
includes India & China
Roman roads connect the
empire to Europe and Asia
Society and Culture
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Slavery is a significant part of Roman life
Worship of the emperor becomes an
official religion of Rome
Rich live well; most people are poor.
Receive grain from government
150 holidays and Coliseum events created
to control the masses.