The Roman Republic & the Punic Wars
The Roman Republic & the Punic Wars
Hypothetical reconstruction of Roman Forum in Imperial times. Watercolor (18th century), Giuseppe Becchetti
Why were the Romans able to conquer Italy & the Mediterranean World?
-Journal: 3 Ideas
Ancient Italy (c. 6th century B.C.)
PEOPLE:
The Latins-Rome: “The First Romans”
The Etruscans-Northern Italy-Urbanized Rome: Building Programs (the Forum)-Influence on Romans: the arch, alphabet
The Greeks-Southern Italy and Sicily-Influence on Romans: art, architecture, literature, ..government, engineering
GEOGRAPHY:
-Tiber River & Mediterranean Sea-Fertile Soil & Strategic Location
Think about… What danger did the Romans face? What did Horatius do to defend the Romans? What qualities does Horatius demonstrate in this
passage? What is the moral of Livy’s account? What can we
infer about Roman values based on this?
Excerpt from Livy’s The Early History of Rome
Beliefs & Values:
Military Valor
Government:
Republic
509 B.C., Romans rejected Etruscan king (monarchy) and established a republic. Power rests with the citizens who have the right to vote
for their leaders. In Rome, citizenship with voting rights was granted only
to free-born male citizens.
The Roman Republic (509 B.C. – 27 B.C.)
STRUGGLE FOR POWER: CLASS CONFLICT
Patricians- wealthy landowners who held most of the power: inherited power and social status
Plebeians- (Plebs) common farmers, artisans and merchants who made up the majority of the population: can vote, but can’t ruleTribunes- elected representatives who
protect plebeians’ political rights.
The Roman Republic (509 B.C. – 27 B.C.)
A “Balanced” Government Rome elects two consuls– one to lead army, one to
direct government Senate- chosen from patricians (Roman upper class),
make foreign and domestic policy Popular assemblies elect tribunes, make laws for
plebeians (commoners)
Dictators- leaders appointed briefly in times of crisis (appt. by consuls and senate)
The Roman Republic (509 B.C. – 27 B.C.)
was a
Led by
advised by selected by advised by
Legally ruled by Leaders elected by
Power & Authority-THE ROMAN REPUBLIC
republic:
Consuls:*
*
*
Senate:*aristocrats:
*patricians:
*
Centuriate Assembly:*citizen-soldiers:
*
*
Tribal Assembly:*tribunes:
*plebeians:
*
Twelve Tables:*
*
*
Citizens:*
*
*
What similarities do you see in the governments of the Roman Republic and the United States?
What do you think is the most significant difference between the Roman Republic and that of the United States today?
See Chart: Comparing Republican Governments
THE TWELVE TABLES 451 B.C., officials carve Roman laws on twelve
tablets and hung in Forum. Laws confirm right of all free citizens to protection
of the law Become the basis for later Roman law
The Roman Republic (509 B.C. – 27 B.C.)
What can we infer about Roman values based on the laws cited in the Twelve Tables?
How do the Twelve Tables compare to modern laws in the United States?
The Twelve Tables:Primary Source Review
Why were the Romans able to conquer Italy
& the Mediterranean World?
Military Organization:
The Roman Army
All citizens were required to serve
Army was powerful: Organization & fighting skill
Legion- military unit of 5,000 infantry (foot soldiers) supported by cavalry (horseback)
The Roman Army
Romans defeat Etruscans in north and Greek city-states in south
Treatment of Conquered: Forge alliances Offer citizenship
By 265 B.C., Rome controls Italian peninsula
Rome Spreads its Power
Rome establishes a large trading network Access to Mediterranean Sea provides many trade
routes Carthage, powerful city-state in North Africa,
soon rivals Rome
Rome’s Commercial Network
Military Organization:
The Punic Wars
Three Wars between Rome and Carthage
1st Punic War- Rome gains control of Sicily & western Mediterranean Sea.
Punic Wars (264-146 B.C.)
The destruction of Carthage during the Punic Wars. New York Public Library Picture Collection
2nd Punic War- Carthaginian General Hannibal’s “surprise” attack through Spain & France 60,000 soldiers and 60
elephants Romans experience severe
losses, but eventually ward off attacks & invade North Africa
Punic Wars (264-146 B.C.)
The destruction of Carthage during the Punic Wars. New York Public Library Picture Collection
Hannibal's troops crossing the Rhone River on their way to attack northern Italy.
3rd Punic War- Rome seizes Carthage Scipio- Roman Strategist Conquered people sold
into slavery
Punic Wars (264-146 B.C.)
The destruction of Carthage during the Punic Wars. New York Public Library Picture Collection
Why were the Romans able to conquer Italy & the Mediterranean World? (Give a few reasons and
explain)
Do you think the Roman Republic owed its success more to its form of government, or its army? Why?
How does Rome’s rise to power relate to modern efforts to gain power and authority?
How did the struggle for power between patricians and plebeians affect the Roman Republic?
How does leadership impact the power and authority of a nation/republic/empire? Julius Caesar Augustus The Good & Bad Emperors Diocletian & Constantine
Forthcoming…