Week 6—Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire

Founding of the Roman Republic City of Rome built sometime in 8th century BCE Several conflicting stories of it’s founding Romulus and Remus Virgil’s Aneid Sabine women Suicide of Lucretia Etruscans—early civilization in modern Tuscany that was overthrown by Romans in 509 BCE Senate oligarchy established—rule by a group of hereditary elites

Two Social Classes Patricians—heredity aristocracy Accepted positions of power because it was dignified Plebeians—ordinary citizens Clear majority Suffered from poverty and oppression Protested to gain more rights

Roman Society Laws restricted mingling between classes Patricians wore togas, thickness of purple lining represented level of aristocracy Inter-class marriage prohibited Women had virtually no rights Slaves Often freed Assimilated

Roman Army Skillful, obedient, organized Stole many ideas from the Greeks (phalanx) From rural countryside Fought for loyalty, not just salary Romans borrowed much of their culture from other civilizations (especially. Greeks): religions, customs, education, architecture, etc. The Punic Wars—a series of three wars fought between Rome and Carthage (264-241 BCE)

First Punic War By 264 BCE, unified Italian peninsula looked to expand its influence Carthage—large kingdom in North Africa 264-241 BCE tried to expand north into Sicily, threatened Rome Close naval battle, Rome victorious Bitter hatred developed on both sides

Second Punic War 218 BCE Carthage and Rome race to control Spain Hannibal—led Carthaginian forces to victory Travelled from north over Alps with 37 elephants, 38k men and 8k cavalry Elephants frightened Roman horses Disadvantages: easy targets, don’t cross water and mountains well

Third Punic War Romans sent force to Carthage forcing Hannibal to withdraw in 216 BCE Battle of Zama—Hannibal defeated by Scipio Africanus Hannibal never takes Rome, flees east and dies

Roman Expansion 146-44 BCE After 3rd Punic War, Rome dominates Mediterranean and looks to expand Greece, Asia, Europe (esp. Spain), North Africa Romans were brutal conquerors, but tolerant of diverse cultures in its empire For 500 years expansion = major part of Roman economy Roman fleet maintained peace and order, kept down piracy

Problems with Expansion Large plantations owned by wealthy elite formed in conquered territories Slaves were cheap, small farmers run out Cities full of poor, severe urban problems

Gracchus Brothers, 133 BCE Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus—Roman politicians who tried to reform the power of the patricians Tiberius wanted to limit the amt of land a person could own Assassinated by resentful patricians Gaius took up the cause by appealing to middle class, also killed

Roman Decline in 1st Century BCE Decline of the imperial government Corruption, subject to demagogues Elites wouldn’t give up power Dangerous precedent set when generals began to use the army for political control, beginning with General Marius (157 BCE) Soldiers paid largely through loot Army allegiance to generals, not government General Sulla (rival to Marius) offered rewards for murder of his enemies Rome falls into a series of civil wars

The First Triumvirate Senate proved incapable of solving Rome’s problems 60 BCE three men conspire to take over Rome The First Triumvirate: Caesar, Pompey, Crassus

Julius Caesar Julius Caesar—(July 100 – March 15, 44 BCE) talented general who brought and end to the Roman Republic and inspires the Roman Empire Conquered much of Gaul (France) and invaded England Most of his support from his troops Crassus killed in battle—Caesar began wielding an unbalanced amount of power Senate demanded he step down Caesar crossed the Rubicon River in 49 BCE and defeated Pompey Senate relented, named him dictator for 10 years, later life

Dictator For Life Caesar believed a strong central authority was necessary to control the vast Roman empire Aided the poor, made govt more efficient Treated former enemies with respect 44 BCE named himself dictator for life March 15 assassinated by a group of concerned aristocrats; including his friend Brutus Power grab ensues Second Triumvirate: Marc Antony, Octavian, Lepidus

Octavian “Augustus” Caesar Augustus Caesar—(63 BCE – 14 CE) the first Roman Emperor Julius Caesar’s great nephew Defeated Marc Antony and Lepidus, proclaimed himself emperor Claimed to want a republic Popular “bringer of peace” Built buildings and temples Public works to help urban poor Subsidized agriculture