6.3 | The Roman Confederate System The Rise of SPQR 6.3 | The Roman Confederate System

The Monarchy Overthrown Established in 753 B.C. Lasted 243 years between 7 kings Kings elected by the people Issues with accuracy (sacked 390 B.C.) Tiny population Rape of the Sabines under Romulus 100 man senate as advisors to the king Rome as head of Latin cities Latium Tarquinius, tyranny, Lucretia, and the revolt of the nobility 509 B.C.

Res Publica Common, public property 509 – 27 B.C. Public land Public opinion Public association 509 – 27 B.C.

The Early Roman Republic Similar to the monarchy Two consuls who functioned as kings Elected every two years The Senate stayed in place Became permanent Tradition Became prominent Experience For the patrician class

The Struggle of the Orders Secessions ending in 287 B.C. 1st – The Tribune of the Plebs 2nd – The Twelve Tables 3rd – Lex Hortensia Expansion of the Republican government Senate is accessible by both classes

The Republic Expands Perpetual state of war Annexed their neighbors, then the Latins, then various Italians tribes The Roman state became militarized Service was required to be Roman The Confederation “Citizens” and “Allies” The scale of Roman conflict grew

βοήθεια! Magna Graecia was in a bit of a pickle around 300 B.C. City-state drama and conflict with the Carthaginians Rome conveniently gets in the middle of this and eventually moves legions into Magna Graecia The Greeks call for help

A Guy Named Pyrrhus From Epirus Your typical Greek-loving ruler out for some gain Answers the call for help by invading Italy The Pyrrhic Wars 280 B.C. – 272 B.C.

Greece Unleashed Pyrrhus comes to Italy to defend the Greeks The Roman Confederation is waiting Heraclea 280 BC Asculum 279 BC “Pyrrhic Victory” The Confederation holds… but why? Roman citizenship = $  $ = Rome must win

Off to Sicily Pyrrhus invades Sicily to assist more Greeks Defeats the Carthaginians Rome and Carthage ally Rome attacks Magna Graecia Pyrrhus returns to help (1/3 of original army) Beneventum 275 BC Rome annexes Magna Graecia 272 BC Rome annexes the last Italian citiy south of the Po River 270 BC

Lessons Learned The Roman Republic is now on the map The Roman Confederation is strong It is strong because Roman citizenship is a hot commodity Rome knows how to beat the phalanx Rome knows how to fight against elephants Rome knows how to rebound from a loss The Roman military is stable (citizenship and land) The Roman state is stable (in face of disaster) Carthage beware… Rhegium and Sicily