Transcript The Republic - Hale

The Republic
CHW3M
The Etruscans
Rome is ruled by the Etruscans until
509 BCE
Last king (Tarquin the Proud) was
particularly oppressive
Romans were fed up and revolted
Formed a new independent republic
Elected government, not monarchy
The Legacy of the Etruscans
Architecture (arches, aqueducts,
harbours, drainage systems)
Alphabet (based on Greek)
Forms the basis of most western
European languages
Military (compulsory service)
The Roman Republic
509 BCE – 31 BCE
Rome grows to dominate the
Mediterranean
But before that..
constantly attacked from all sides during
the early days
decided to switch to offence
The Evolution of the Military
Bigger pop’n = no need recruit all
males
Selective conscription
All landowners had to be trained and
ready to serve in military
Soldier are paid
Organized into Legions
4000 – 5000 men each
Divided into smaller cohorts
The Evolution of the Military
Each cohort has three divisions
Hasti (rookies) on front lines
Principes (older men) in the middle
Triarii (veterans) in the rear
Greater threat = increase # of legions
Recruit slaves if necessary
Roman military has a very high
casualty rate in these days because
of a lack of training for new recruits
Expanding Rome
Conquers Etruscans, kicks Greeks
out of Italy, so by 265 BCE they
control the whole Italian peninsula
“Nicer” than other conquerors
Let conquered people keep their own
customs, government, laws, and some
of their lands
Didn’t take slaves, sometimes granted
citizenship
Beyond Italy
Next region within easy reach of
Rome?
Beyond Italy
Phoenician city of Carthage in North
Africa
Remember the Phoenicians are the
main naval power in the Mediterranean
Also control much of Sicily (an
agricultural jackpot) and Sardinia
And in general a threat to Rome and an
obstacle to trade
The Punic Wars
3 wars between Rome and Carthage
1st Punic War (246 BCE – 241 BCE)
Rome attacks and conquers Sicily
2nd Punic War (218 BCE – 202 BCE)
Hannibal invades Rome from the north and a
lengthy war ensues before Rome finally kicks
them out of Italy and defeats them in North
Africa
3rd Punic War (149 BCE – 146 BCE)
After Carthaginian efforts to rebuild their
military, Rome decides to defeat them once and
for all
The End of Carthage
Carthage is burned and completed
razed
Romans salt the earth so nothing
would grow there
All inhabitants killed or sold into
slavery
Further Expansion
Rome is now the unrivalled power in
the Mediterranean, so smaller states
join up
Roman provinces now include
Sardinia and Corsica and Spain
Rome moves into Greece,
Macedonia, Egypt, and Asian Minor
Annexes Gaul, Crete, and moves
down Mediterranean through Syria
But…
Political turmoil in Rome during this period
Power struggle between wealthy and
commoners for governmental control
Wars, riots, assassinations, plots and alliances
Whoever controls the army ultimately can
control Rome
Series of generals seize power as dictator,
culminating in rule of Julius Caesar
Work
Read up on the Punic Wars
Answer questions 1-3 on p. 165
Read up on the decline of the
Republic
Answer questions 1-3 on p. 168
Hannibal vs. Alexander?