1. The Republic Conquers the Mediterranean
One City nearly conquers all
The Gap between the rich and the Poor allows
Generals to Take Power

2. Rome Conquers Italy
In a series of “Defensive” Wars the Romans Conquer Italy
First the Etruscans, then the Samites, then the Greek Colonies of the South.
Each is Absorbed into the Roman system.
The Romans don’t consider themselves as trying to build an Empire.
Every war is justified as necessary to protect Rome.

3. The Punic Wars
The city of Carthage in modern Tunisia was also building an empire, The two empires collide.
BC First Punic War
Ended inconclusively
BC Second Punic War
After a long and terrible war Rome wins
Rome takes over the Carthaginian Empire,
Leaving Carthage just a city

4. 146 BC Third Punic War
In order to help his party gain power
Cato the Elder convinces the Senate that Carthage is still a threat, which it isn’t.
Each Speech ends with “Carthago Delenda est” “Carthage must be Destroyed.
And that’s exactly what they do.

5. The Mediterranean, a Roman Lake
Meanwhile the Empire expands in the East
222 BC Celts defeated, Po River Valley taken.
197 BC Macedon Defeated
189 BC Seleucid Empire Defeated
146 BC Corinth Defeated, Greece taken
Rome is supreme in the Mediterranean!

6. Bread and Circuses Rome’s Conquests brought wealth and slaves to Rome
Slave labor replaced Paid Labor
Many lost their jobs, and became poor and unemployed
The Gap between Rich and Poor Grew
Rome lost its large Middle Class
Victorious Generals are able to use the wealth from their conquests to “buy” the vote, and thus power
by throwing big sporting events where they give away food and money…
”Bread and Circuses”