1. Why was Rome so successful militarily?

2. Military Ability
Great soldiers
Well-trained
All volunteers

3. Each legion was divided into smaller groups of 80 men called a century
The Roman Military
Rome was protected by an advanced army that was divided into groups of 5,000 soldiers called legions
Each legion was divided into smaller groups of 80 men called a century

4. The Roman Military
A Ballista is an ancient military siege engine in the form of a crossbow. Typically it was used to hurl large bolts, and had better accuracy than a catapult at the expense of reduced range.
A catapult is a ballistic device used to launch a projectile a great distance without the aid of explosive devices—particularly various types of ancient and medieval siege engines.

5. Infrastructure Few geographical barriers on the Italian peninsula
Military roads radiated from Rome
Troops could be sent quickly to quell unrest in any area
Dual purpose—roads came to allow quick and easy travel by tax collectors, traders, travelers, and officials
Famous roads
Appian Way miles
Flaminian Way
Valerian Way
Public funds dedicated to building and maintaining the Republic’s infrastructure

6. Strategy: Divide and Control
Rome’s fear:
That allies and colonies would unite against Roman Rule
Rome’s solution:
Keep groups under Roman control disunited
How it was done:
Forbade alliances between them
Separate privileges and treaties

7. Treatment of Conquered Peoples
Conquered peoples were treated well
Some received full Roman citizenship, including suffrage
Some controlled their own affairs but paid tribute and gave soldiers to the Roman army
Colonies
Rome established colonies in conquered areas, each protected by a garrison of Roman soldiers
Republic encouraged intermarriage
Led to the spread of Roman culture and language (Latin)

8. By the 3rd century B.C., the Romans conquered the Italian peninsula & began to exert power in the Mediterranean world
But, the growth of Rome threatened Carthage, the superpower of the Mediterranean world

9. The Punic Wars
Rome
Carthage vs

10. Roman Expansion in the Mediterranean Sea
The Roman Army was different than other armies because it was separated into small sections called legions. Legions could move around easily. Soldiers in the Roman Army were called legionnaires. They built roads for soldiers and trade, which unified the Roman people.

11. Roman Expansion (continued)
Farmers and soldiers received conquered lands.
Spread Roman culture and Latin language.

12. Roman Army One of best armies of all time
Victorious against many formidable opponents
Army was a both a duty & distinguishing mark of Roman citizenship
Army changed drastically over time
Originally only citizens that could afford equipment
Fought in phalanx during monarchy
Republican Legions - units
Equites (cavalry)
Velites (light infantry)
Heavy infantry
Auxilia (auxiliary troops and specialist)
Brutal discipline
Reforms
End of the 2nd century BCE
Created professional standing armies
Employed poorer classes
Loyalty of the soldiers in the hands of their general

13. Factors in Legion’s Success
Roman discipline, organization & systemization sustained combat effectiveness over a longer period
Romans were more persistent and more willing to absorb and replace losses over time than their opponents
Roman Engineering skills were second to none
Offensive and defensive siege warfare
Roman military equipment
Soldiers equipped with heavy shields, helmets and highly effective body armor

14. The Punic Wars (Rome vs. Carthage)
Carthage was a city-state on the northern coast of Africa. Carthage was a huge trading empire.
Rome was gaining power in the Mediterranean. Carthage was also gaining power in the Mediterranean. Rome did not want Carthage to control trade. Rome fought three wars with Carthage called the Punic Wars.

15. The 1st Punic War ( B.C.E.)
Carthage was seeking to expand into Sicily where the Romans were already dominant
Both fought for control of the Mediterranean Sea and the surrounding land.
Carthage had a strong navy, while Rome had a strong army
Outcome: The war ended with Rome in control of both Sicily and Corsica and marked the empire’s emergence as a naval as well as a land power.
Rome built a strong navy.

16. The 2nd Punic War (218-201 B.C.E) Hannibal from Carthage…
Wanted to defeat Rome for the death of his father
Fought on Roman land, but…
(he crossed over the Alps using war elephants)
Was too weak to take over Rome

17. The 2nd Punic War (con’t.)
Tide turned Rome’s favor when the brilliant general, Scipio invaded North Africa.
This forced Hannibal to come back and defend Carthage
Outcome? Hannibal was defeated and surrendered Spain to Rome.
Hannibal returned to Africa, and the treaty required Carthage to disband their Army or face total annihilation by Rome.

18. The 3rd Punic War (149-146 B.C.E.) The Romans…
Carthage was attacked by an African kingdom and they raised an army to defend themselves; is there a problem with them doing this?
The treaty with Rome stated Carthage could not have an army. Rome used this as an excuse to attack Carthage one more time.
Burned Carthage to the ground, and razed the city over
Plowed salt into Carthage’s farms so that they would not grow crops anymore
Massacred Carthaginian people or sold them into slavery.
Sent message to others: DON’T MESS WITH ROME!
Outcome: Carthage became a Roman province.

19. End of 3rd Punic War

20. CONQUEST OF THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN
After defeating Carthage, Rome conquered Greece and Macedonia, and by 50 B.C. controlled the entire area around the Mediterranean.
Rome was successful because its people were determined, it made allies of its conquered enemies, its army was highly disciplined and experienced, it greatly valued military success, and it used the spoils of war to build up the treasury.

21. After the Punic Wars…
Rome was able , over the next 100 years, to dominate the Mediterranean basin, leading to much cultural diffusion of Roman culture.
Roman culture will spread around the Mediterranean Basin (Africa, Asia, Europe, including the Hellenistic world of Eastern Mediterranean) and Western Europe (Gaul, Spain, the British Isles – present day England and Ireland)

22. Effects of Expansion
After the Punic Wars, Roman territory extended from Spain to Greece
Conquerors brought back wealth, slaves
Bought large estates
Many small farmers couldn’t compete
Lost their farms
Poverty and unemployment increased
Roman Magistrates became corrupt
Used their legions to conquer and pillage other countries
Accepted bribes and demanded tributes from citizens
Gap increased between rich and poor
Anger and tension grew between classes

23. From Republic to Empire

24. The Roman Empire
Military commanders recruited landless farmers for an army and initiated a civil war.
General Gaius Marius marched on Rome, placed the city under military occupation and hunted down political enemies.
When Marius died, Sulla seized Rome in 83 B.C.E. and murdered some ten thousand individuals.