Punic Wars Rome and Carthage were competing for trade. The two cities fight three wars. Rome eventually wins Carthage is destroyed Rome gains territory (Africa, Spain, Romania). Hannibal of Carthage Crosses Alps with Elephants Unable to attack city of Rome.

After the Wars Soldiers return home to find destroyed land. They sell land, move to cities. With no land, they can’t be in the army. Ex-soldiers become poor, jobless. Roman currency loses value, and inflation occurs. Land bought by wealthy who create large estates (Latifundia). Conquered people were made slaves to work on these farms.

Government Changes Rome remains a republic, but… New territory become provinces. Conquered people are not made citizens. Senate appoints governors. Governors not paid, take bribes. People are not cared for.

The Gracchi Brothers Gracchi brother try to make things better. They move poor people to latifundia to work in the fields. Bought food and sold it to poor at a very low cost. Senate (rich people) get angry. One brother is killed, the other kills himself. Violence becomes the tool of politics, not respect for law.

Marius Allows any citizen to join the army. Rewards veterans: Soldiers can keep booty Are given land after 20 years service. Other generals begin to do this. Soldiers become loyal to the generals, not to the Roman Republic.

Sulla A general who fights Marius and wins. He becomes a dictator. Senate is given all government powers. Controlling the military though, he can compel the Senate to do his bidding.

Review After the Punic wars, soldiers lose their land, move to the cities and become poor. Rulers try to make the masses happy, but rich folks (Senate) resist. Violence becomes a tool form power. Marius makes soldiers loyal to a general, not to Rome. Roman generals, popular with people and soldiers, can control the Senate. The Republic will soon end…