Week 6Roman republic and the rise of the roman empire

Week 6Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire

Founding of the Roman RepublicCity of Rome built sometime in 8th century BCESeveral conflicting stories of its foundingRomulus and RemusVirgils AneidSabine womenSuicide of Lucretia

Etruscansearly civilization in modern Tuscany that was overthrown by Romans in 509 BCESenate oligarchy establishedrule by a group of hereditary elites

Two Social ClassesPatriciansheredity aristocracyAccepted positions of power because it was dignified

Plebeiansordinary citizensClear majoritySuffered from poverty and oppressionProtested to gain more rightsRoman SocietyLaws restricted mingling between classesPatricians wore togas, thickness of purple lining represented level of aristocracyInter-class marriage prohibited

Women had virtually no rights

SlavesOften freedAssimilated Roman ArmySkillful, obedient, organizedStole many ideas from the Greeks (phalanx)From rural countrysideFought for loyalty, not just salary

Romans borrowed much of their culture from other civilizations (especially. Greeks): religions, customs, education, architecture, etc.

The Punic Warsa series of three wars fought between Rome and Carthage (264-241 BCE)First Punic WarBy 264 BCE, unified Italian peninsula looked to expand its influence

Carthagelarge kingdom in North Africa264-241 BCE tried to expand north into Sicily, threatened RomeClose naval battle, Rome victoriousBitter hatred developed on both sides

Second Punic War218 BCE Carthage and Rome race to control Spain

Hanniballed Carthaginian forces to victory Travelled from north over Alps with 37 elephants, 38k men and 8k cavalryElephants frightened Roman horsesDisadvantages: easy targets, dont cross water and mountains well

Third Punic WarRomans sent force to Carthage forcing Hannibal to withdraw in 216 BCE

Battle of ZamaHannibal defeated by Scipio Africanus Hannibal never takes Rome, flees east and dies

Roman Expansion 146-44 BCEAfter 3rd Punic War, Rome dominates Mediterranean and looks to expandGreece, Asia, Europe (esp. Spain), North Africa

Romans were brutal conquerors, but tolerant of diverse cultures in its empireFor 500 years expansion = major part of Roman economyRoman fleet maintained peace and order, kept down piracy

Problems with ExpansionLarge plantations owned by wealthy elite formed in conquered territoriesSlaves were cheap, small farmers run outCities full of poor, severe urban problemsGracchus Brothers, 133 BCETiberius and Gaius GracchusRoman politicians who tried to reform the power of the patricians Tiberius wanted to limit the amt of land a person could ownAssassinated by resentful patricians Gaius took up the causeby appealing to middle class, also killed

Roman Decline in 1st Century BCEDecline of the imperial governmentCorruption, subject to demagoguesElites wouldnt give up powerDangerous precedent set when generals began to use the army for political control, beginning with General Marius (157 BCE)Soldiers paid largely through lootArmy allegiance to generals, not governmentGeneral Sulla (rival to Marius) offered rewards for murder of his enemiesRome falls into a series of civil warsThe First TriumvirateSenate proved incapable of solving Romes problems

60 BCE three men conspire to take over RomeThe First Triumvirate: Caesar, Pompey, Crassus

Julius CaesarJulius Caesar(July 100 March 15, 44 BCE) talented general who broughtand end to the Roman Republic and inspiresthe Roman EmpireConquered much of Gaul (France) and invaded England Most of his support from his troopsCrassus killed in battleCaesar began wielding an unbalanced amount of powerSenate demanded he step downCaesar crossed the Rubicon River in 49 BCE and defeated PompeySenate relented, named him dictator for 10 years, later life

Dictator For LifeCaesar believed a strong central authority was necessary to control the vast Roman empireAided the poor, made govt more efficientTreated former enemies with respect

44 BCE named himself dictator for lifeMarch 15 assassinated by a group of concerned aristocrats; including his friend BrutusPower grab ensuesSecond Triumvirate: Marc Antony, Octavian, LepidusOctavian Augustus CaesarAugustus Caesar(63 BCE 14 CE) the first Roman EmperorJulius Caesars great nephewDefeated Marc Antony and Lepidus, proclaimed himself emperorClaimed to want a republicPopular bringer of peace Built buildings and templesPublic works to help urban poorSubsidized agriculture