Rome 264 – 133 BC

Plan for rest of term: Last assessment due: Friday SEPTEMBER 4. Week’s 5 and 6: Finish Rome. Week’s (6), 7, 8, 9: Revision. Week 10: Your excursion week.

Roman Leaders: Fabius Maximus His cautious delaying tactics (hence the nickname “delayer,”) during the early stages of the Second Punic War (218–201). This gave Rome time to recover its strength and take the offensive against the invading Carthaginian army of Hannibal.

Roman Leaders: Fabius Maximus A critic of Scipio. Accused Scipio of allowing his troops to mutiny (a small number of Scipio’s men had mutinied when Scipio feel ill). Was elected to five consulships, in 233, 228, 215, 214, and 209.

Roman Leaders: Scipio Africanus Saved his father’s life in battle at Ticinus. Fought at Cannae and survived battle. When he became general he lead a force of ships and troops and attacked Carthage in Spain. He attacked the city of New Carthage in Spain. Scipio studied Hannibal’s tactics and copied them.

Roman Leaders: Scipio Africanus Once he defeated Carthage on Spanish soil he returned to Rome victorious and reminded the Senate of his achievements. He was awarded the province of Sicily. He was elected Consul and took his troops to invade North Africa and threatened the city of Carthage itself. He defeated Hannibal at Zama.

Roman Leaders: Flamininus Lived in Greece for many years, signing treaties and alliances to secure Rome’s dominance. Considered a philhelene; someone influenced and appreciative of Greek culture. He was highly popular among Greeks. Enjoyed the trust of the Roman nobility, who gave him a military role in Greece over Scipio.

Roman Leaders: Flamininus H. Scullard on Flamininus’s promotion: “The Roman nobility as a whole probably feared to entrust him with a first-class military command which would give him the chance of placing the Roman people deeply in his debt.” What is going on here between Flamininus and the Roman nobility?

Roman Leaders: Scipio Aemilianus Scipio Aemilianus or Scipio Africanus the Younger. He commanded at the final siege and destruction of Carthage in 146 BC. He was a leader of the senators opposed to the Gracchi in 133 BC.

Roman Leaders: Scipio Aemilianus The Gracchi brothers: Tiberius and Gaius. Two tribunes in 2nd century BC who attempted to pass land reform legislation in Ancient Rome. These reforms would redistribute the major patrician landholdings among the plebeians.

Roman Leaders: Cato the Elder Opposed to Greek cultural influence on Roman life. Cato had a reputation for honesty and his hostility to non-Roman influences. Cato had been Scipio’s quaestor in Sicily. Cato had an unfavourable attitude towards Scipio. Cato perceived Scipio as too lenient to his troops, and too heavily influenced by Greek culture.

Roman Leaders: Cato the Elder Cato led a campaign in the Senate to downplay the achievements of Roman generals and support the authority of the Senate and Roman politics. He denied the triumphs of some of the Roman generals. Cato became known for his hatred of Scipio. He poisoned Scipio’s later life through trials and accusations.

First Punic War Once Rome dominated Italy it became a world power. This brought it into competition with Carthage, the existing power in the Mediterranean. In the First Punic War Rome and Carthage fought over control of Sicily. During this conflict Rome developed a naval power and controlled the seas in the Mediterranean. Sicily became Rome’s first province. This war laid the foundations for resentments that spilled over in the Second Punic war.

Impact of the wars of expansion Changes linked to expansion (a summary): Growth of the Great Estates, Increase in number of slaves, More wealth for the already rich, Wealthy women became more independent, Shift towards city living and rise of an urban class, Rise of a new Equestrian class, Larger armies sourced from a greater range of subjects/citizens. Revise Pamela Bradley Handout 2, pages

Hellenism: spread and influence When Scipio defeated Antiochus in the Greek East he freed the Greek cities of Asia Minor. This led to Greek culture spreading into Rome. A “Scipionic circle” developed of cultured men interested in Greek ways of life. Hellenism = Greek culture. Elements of Greek culture began to feature in Roman life. This included: literature, music, art, food, religion, education, Oratory & Rhetoric, philosophy. A fashion for things Greek swept Rome.

Second Punic War After the First Punic War Hannibal swore revenge on Rome. The Ebro Treaty was established which kept Rome out of Spain, and Carthage could not cross the river. However, the town of Saguntum was loyal to Rome but in Carthaginian territory. Hannibal felt it was being used to undermine Carthage and attacked it. This began the Second Punic War.

Second Punic War Hannibal invaded Italy and Rome fought a defensive war for over 10 years. Major battles included: Ticinus, Trebia, Trasimene, Cannae. Fabius Maximus elected dictator after these defeats. Maximus used the strategy of delay. Scipio became general and reversed this policy to one of attack, and invaded Africa. This forced Hannibal back to Africa and he was defeated at Zama.

Carthaginian leaders: Hamilcar Barca Hamilcar Barca died in 229 or 228 BC, Carthaginian general. Assigned the command in Sicily in 247 in the First Punic War. From mountain bases near Palermo he made repeated raids on the Romans and relieved the Punic garrison in Lilybaeum. However, the Carthaginians were defeated. Hamilcar negotiated the terms of the peace that led to Carthage's withdrawal from Sicily.

Carthaginian leaders: Hasdrubal Hasdrubal died: 221 BC, Carthaginian general. He fought under his father-in-law, Hamilcar Barca in Africa and in Spain, where he succeeded (in 229 or 228 BC) Hamilcar as general. He increased the empire in Spain, where he founded Carthago Nova (modern Cartagena, or New Carthage in the ancient world). By treaty with Rome (226 BC), he fixed the northern boundary of Carthaginian Spain at the Ebro River.

Carthaginian leaders: Hannibal From his father, Hamilcar Barca, the defender of Sicily in the First Punic War, he learned to hate Rome. He succeeded as general in Spain on the death of his brother-in-law, Hasdrubal, in 221 BC. After consolidating his position for two years, he besieged Rome's ally Saguntum, which fell eight months later. Carthage supported him, and Rome declared war (the Second Punic War, BC).

Consequences of the Punic Wars The Carthaginians were forced to: Pay reparations for damage to Rome; Return all prisoners of war; Surrender all elephants and war ships; Were forbidden to declare war on other states; Provide Rome with grain for the army. Pay 10,000 talents of silver over 50 years. Hand over one hundred hostages.

Destruction of Carthage Carthage declared war on a king named Masinissa. This leads to accusations by the Romans that they were on the war path again. In 149 BC Scipio Aemilianus besieges Carthage from the land and blockades it from the sea. Carthage is sacked and destroyed in 146 BC. This was the result of fear and hatred towards Carthage from the Punic Wars. Read and summarise “The Destruction of Carthage” in your Rome handout.

Wars in the Greek East: First Macedonian War Philip V of Macedonia took advantage of Hannibal’s invasion of Italy. He formed an alliance with Hannibal and expanded his territory. The Roman Senate had to use allies and send a small force to contain Philip V. After Zama Rome was able to address Philip V. Philip asked for peace on the condition he kept his newly won lands. In 205 Scipio agreed and made a treaty that prevented Philip from expanding further or assisting Carthage.

Wars in the Greek East: Second Macedonian War In 202 BC Philip V and Antiochus III from Syria arranged to divide the remains of the Egyptian Empire between them. Greeks who had fallen under Philip V’s control called for help from Rome. Rome sent ambassadors to Philip to leave the areas of Rome’s allies, and he refused. The Roman Consul Galba prepared am army and attacked. In 198 BC Flamninius became commander and continued the war.

Wars in the Greek East: Second Macedonian War The major battle took place at Cynoscephalae in 197 BC. Here the Roman army and its tactics fought the Greek phalanx of Alex. The Great and won. The phalanx was too rigid and the Romans were able to maneuver around it. A treaty was formed which forced Philip to give up his Greek territories, but he remained in power.

Wars in the Greek East: Third Macedonian War Perseus was the son of Philip V and took throne in 179 BC. In 172 BC Emenes king of Pergamum, a Roman ally, accused Perseus of entering his territory. This led to war and Marcius Philippus sent legions to Macedonia. In 168 BC a new Roman general, Paullus, attacked Perseus and defeated him, and captured him at Pydna. Macedonia was then broken up into 4 smaller republics.

Wars in the Greek East: Fourth Macedonian War The political situation in Greece remained unstable. There were no permanent troops, and piracy thrived. In 149 BC Andriscus claimed to be the son of Perseus. He reunited the four republics into 1 Macedonia. Metellus of Rome defeated him and forced him from the region. After this Greeks revolted against Rome and Metellus marched to repress them. After this the Hellenistic world became part of the Roman empire, after 80 years of campaigning.

Changes in Roman navy and land warfare During the First Punic War Rome became a naval power. The corvus allowed Rome to use her legionnaires at sea (the first ‘Marines’). During the Punic wars Rome allowed a wider range of men into the military: slaves; prisoners; younger men; older men.

Changes in Roman navy and land warfare The Roman army was organised into divisions: Hastati: front line in the attack; young men well armed. Principes: more experienced soldiers in the second line of attack. Triarii: veterans, were used as reserves and as the last resort. Had great experience.

Political Conditions and problems After Cannae, for example, the loss of so many Roman leaders meant that offices were held for longer periods of time. Customs in regards to offices were ignored as the Punic wars dragged on. Roman generals began to use their success to influence the Roman people. This meant that the Senate and nobility were out-maneuvered.

Political Conditions and problems The Roman nobility, and senators such as Cato, began to distrust powerful generals. Because the plebians had achieved a greater participation, the voice of the people became very important in Roman politics. However, the vote of the people could be precarious and change often.

Provincial Administration and Tax Provinces were Roman territories outside of Italy. They paid tax to Rome. They were ruled by appointed Roman governors. Provinces had no control over foreign policy. Governors were under the control of the Senate in Rome.

Provincial Administration and Tax The law under which the provinces were administered was called: Lex Provinciae = Rights & Responsibilities. Tax from the provinces meant that Roman citizens themselves paid no tax. Roman tax collectors in the provinces were the Publicani. Governors often obtained their positions through bribes and corruption.

Provincial Administration and Tax Corruption led to: Over taxation of provincial populations. High interest rates. Bribes in courts. Overall Rome brought to provinces the following: Improved law and order. Roads and public works. Increased economic wealth and trade. Better rulers, despite some who were corrupt.