1. Expansionist Roman Republic

2. Why Rome? Model of Military efficiency and Imperialism
Did not come without obstacles
Included significant changes socially and politically

3. The Expansionist Republic
Brief Timeline:
Rome gains independence from Etruscans
Rome fights near constant wars against hill people, Rome sacked
Initiates military reform
Little known of pre-reform, most likely Greek phalanx
Rome starts winning, defeats Latin league
Unites all of Italy south of the Po River

4. State and Society
Lacked traditional elites, but a large gap between poor and rich
Senate made up of the rich
Military leaders elected by all Romans
Glory was a priority
Plebeians role in the Legions rewarded with creation of position of Tribune
Two Issues for Early Rome
Aggressive Neighbors
Gap between Rich and Poor

5. Manpower Every Roman citizen was liable for service
Landless and debtors prohibited from serving in the Legions
Heavy infantry
The Richest Romans served in the cavalry, rest as Legionnaires
Originally voluntary and unpaid
Around 15% of male population served several years terms
In crisis over 25%
Used allied Italians and population from colonies to compensate low manpower

6. Motives for Expansion Winning provided land, slaves, and booty.
Land gave opportunity to poor Romans and increased wealth of the rich
Slaves worked on rich plots
Desire for land and slaves united rich and poor
Added cities provide manpower
Desire to glory pushed elites

7. Army of the Republic

8. A Legion Legion was 3,000 to 4,000 men
600 light infantry
300 cavalry
Each Legion accompanied by allied legion, identically organized
Two Roman and Allied Legions made a consular army

9. Formation Three lines of 10 maniples Maniple = 20 men across, 6 deep
More space between units than greek phalanx
Gaps between Maniples = Frontage of a maniple
2nd and third line behind the gaps in front of them
Checkerboard
Lines could advance or retreat into each other, relieve each other
Easier to maneuver, less vulnerable flanks

10. Troop Types A century contains 60-80 men
A legion contained 4 troop types
Velites – youngest/least experienced, light armed skirmishers
Hastati – Next in age/experience, front line, organized in 10 maniples of 2 centuries
Principes – Best veterans, second line, in 10 maniples of 2 centuries
Triarii – Oldest troops, rear line, 10 maniples of 1 century

11. Weapons and Tactics Gladius – Short sword and primary weapon
Galae
Lorica segmentata
Gladius – Short sword and primary weapon
Pilum – Javelin with weak point to break into shield
Made shield unwieldy
Cannot be thrown back
Scutum – three layers of wood, light weight, metal center for punching
Chainmail and Scale armor common
Gladius
Scutum
Pilum
Caligae

12. Tactics
Geared toward attack, even when defending they tended to charge
Hurl Javelins from yards
Drew Swords
Despite militia tendencies, legionnaires required constant drill
Generals were elected, called Consuls
Not always competent
Cavalry was barely adequate

13. Strategy Roman leaders direct:
Marched straight towards targets
Hoped for decisive battle
Partly due to electoral process
Could be exploited, indirect tactics disapproved of
Grand strategy best described as relentlessness

14. Pyrrhic Wars

15. Background Named after Pyrrhus, King of Epirus
considered to be the best General of his day, if not ever
Greek colonies in South Italy asked him for help
Pyrrhus invades with 40,000 men and 20 war elephants

16. Early Results Elephants were critical to all battles
Pyrrhus won the battles of Heraclea and Asculum
Suffered about 20,000 causalities in the process
Many of his officers included

17. Pyrrhic victory
Pyrrhus said "If we are victorious in one more battle with the Romans, we shall be utterly ruined”
Definition: a victory that inflicts such a devastating toll on the victor that it is tantamount to defeat. 

18. Sicily Expedition Rome refused to talk peace
Pyrrhus tried to ally with Carthage
Carthage allies with Rome instead
Pyrrhus offered Kingship of Sicily if he drove out Carthage
Sicilians wanted neither peace nor to help, Pyrrhus went back to Italy
Pyrrhus left saying "What a wrestling ground we are leaving, my friends, for the Carthaginians and the Romans.“

19. Battle of Beneventum
Pyrrhus has a small advantage in numbers and elephants
Meet at the town of Maleventum
Romans injure the elephants, panic into Pyrrhus men
Lost the battle, town renamed “Good Event”
Pyrrhus leaves forever

20. What happened to Pyrrhus?
Pyrrhus conquered Macedonia, then attacked Sparta, retreating after huge losses
Raced to take Argos afterwards, being trapped in the city, bonked on the head, and decapitated
Pyrrhus wrote several books on the art of war but have been lost to history
Macedonian troops desert, and
celebrate Pyrrhus of Epirus
as their new king

21. Greeks lost their only chance of stopping Rome
Aftermath of the War
Greeks lost their only chance of stopping Rome