Section 3: The Late Republic The Roman Republic Section 3: The Late Republic

Growth of Territory and Trade Roman territory grew in response to outside threats. One reason for the Roman success was the organization of the army Soldiers organized in legions – groups of up to 6,000 soldiers Each legion was divided into centuries – groups of 100 soldiers This organization allowed the army to be very flexible; could fight as a large group or as several small ones

Farming and Trade Before Rome conquered Italy, most Romans were farmers As the republic grew, most people left their farms for Rome Wealthy Romans then built large farms in place of these small farms These farms were worked by slaves who grew one or two crops The owners usually didn’t live on the farms Trade also expanded as Rome grew Farmers couldn’t grow enough food to support the growing population, so merchants brought food from other parts of the Mediterranean Also brought metal goods and slaves to Rome

Rome Grows Beyond Italy The Punic Wars Fiercest was the Romans fought A series of wars against Carthage – a city in northern Africa Rome and Carthage went to war three times The wars began when Carthage sent its armies to Sicily Romans forced them out and took control of Sicily Carthage then tried to attack Rome Hannibal – general He was never able to capture Rome Consuls would declare war on Carthage in fear of them growing too powerful Romans would destroy Carthage

Later Expansion During the Punic Wars, Rome took control of Sicily, Corsica, Spain, and North Africa Rome would conquer the southern part of Gaul, along with Greece and parts of Asia Romans would adopt ideas about literature, art, philosophy, religion, and education from Greece

Crises Strike the Republic Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus Brothers that served as tribunes Tiberius wanted to create farms for poor Romans in hopes of keeping poor citizens happy and preventing rebellions Wanted to use the land that wealthy citizens had obtained illegally Wealthy citizens opposed the idea and riots broke out; Tiberius was killed Gaius tried to create new farms and began to sell food at cheaper prices Angered many Romans and was killed for his ideas The violent deaths of the Gracchus brothers changed politics People then saw violence as a political weapon

Marius and Sulla Spartacus Gaius Marius - a consul Encouraged poor people to join the army Lucius Cornelius Sulla A consul Used his army’s loyalty in a civil war against Marius Would later name himself dictator Spartacus Was a former gladiator Led thousands of slaves in an uprising and demanded freedom Defeated an army and took over much of southern Italy Was killed in battle