Transcript Conquests of the Republic

Conquests of the
Republic
Ancient Rome
Mr. Blais
Conquering Italy
• Between 500 B.C.E. and 250
B.C.E. Rome fought numerous
wars against their neighbors on
the Italian Peninsula.
• There first major conflict was
against the Latin Confederation
in the South.
• With their Samnite Allies (A
strong power to the south and
east in the Apennines
Mountains) they defeated the
Latin Confederation in 338
B.C.E.
Conquering Italy (cont.)
• Rome’s growing power soon
conflicted with the growing
power of the Samnites.
• Rome and the Samnites fought
a series of three wars between
343-290 B.C.E.
• The battles were numerous, the
allies on both sides constantly
changing, but Rome finally
defeated the Samnites in 290
B.C.E.
• The Latins, Sabines, Samnites,
and Etrsucans were now all a
part of Rome and Roman
society.
Conquering Italy (cont.)
• Rome now controlled all of central
Italy but their neighbors to the south
would be their toughest fight to date.
• The southern ports were mostly
Greek outposts and the Greek
phalanxes were expertly commanded
• Rome met defeat after defeat at the
hands of the Greeks for 5 years.
• Luckily their alliance with Carthage
forced the Greeks to spread out their
forces and enabled the Romans to
gain the upper hand.
• The Romans conquered all of
southern Italy by 272 and would
then, not surprisingly, turn on
Carthage.
The Macedonian Wars
• During the Second Punic War Hannibal
allied himself with Philip V of Macedon
in hopes or getting help in Italy
• Initially Rome sent a force to Macedonia
to stop Macedonian forces from going to
Italy.
• But after the Second Punic War was over
Rome actively attacked Philip V.
• They soundly defeated him in a number
of battles, with the help of rebellious
factions under Philip V’s control.
• Rome now established a Protectorate
over Greece and Egypt (who had both
been under threat from Philip V)
The Eastern Wars
• After war with Philip V all of his
previous possessions (except
Macedonia) became Protectorates of
Rome.
• The King of Syria soon invaded these
protectorates of Rome (seen as easy
targets) and Rome sent an army in
response.
• The Syrian army lacked discipline, as
did their King, and Rome soundly
defeated them, even though Rome
was outnumbered.
• Syria surrendered many eastern
possessions to Rome, adding to her
territory and wealth.
The Conquest of Greece
• Now Rome’s interests in Eastern
Europe were increasing.
• At the first sign of the Macedonians
rearming and expanding, Rome
declared war again in 171 B.C.E.
• Macedonia and Greece were divided
into small republics and Rome
quickly conquered each, ending with
the burning and destruction of
Corinth
• By 146 B.C.E. Macedonia and all of
Greece was completely conquered
and turned into Roman provinces
Carthage between the Punic War
• After the Second Punic War Carthage
could only wage war with Rome’s
approval.
• So Carthage’s neighbor Numidia
(ally of Rome) kept taking pieces of
their territory
• They appealed to Rome for
help/permission and instead of
helping Rome demanded 300 children
of noble families and that the
Carthaginians move their city away
from the ocean and outside their
fortified walls.
• Carthage blatantly refused and
prepared for its city’s defense.
The Third Punic War
• The Carthaginians banded together
and put all their people to work
making weapons and preparing for a
siege of their beloved city.
• Rome expected a quick siege but
Carthage’s will to survive and their
seemingly impenetrable walls kept the
Romans at bay for 3 long years
• In 146 B.C.E. Carthage finally fell
and its people were slaughtered and
sold into slavery.
• She would never rise again and this
territory now became a Roman
province