Rome

Rome

• Foundation myths– Aeneas– Romulus & Remus– 753bc

• Periods of Roman history– 753bc-509bc: KINGS– 509bc-31bc: REPUBLIC– 31bc-479ad: EMPIRE

Rome

• Period of Kings– Lictors with fasces; curule chair; purple toga– Head of state with a variety of prerogatives

(religious, foreign policy, judiciary, etc.)– A senate appointed by Romulus: 300 men– Relations with surrounding tribes– End of the monarchy and Estruscan domination;

rise of Latium and Republic

Rome

• 509bc-265bc – early republic– Consuls replace kings– Constitution of checks and balances– Struggle of the orders: patricians versus plebeians– Expansion throughout the peninsula

• 264-241: first Punic War– 238 Sardinia and Corsica– 221 Hannibal in command of Punic army in Spain

Rome

• 218-202: second Punic War– 216 Battle of Cannae– 209 Scipio takes New Carthage– 202 Battle of Zama

• 149-146: third Punic War– 146 Destruction of Carthage

Rome

• Throughout the Republic Period, policy toward conquered was a huge issue– Some received full citizenship– Some received municipal status– Allies in foreign policy and for the army– Some allied via treaties– Some places were colonized (especially for

veterans)• The result: LOYALTY

Rome

• Roman expansion: – Defensive or preventive– Security for Rome on Rome’s terms– Created problems: what to do with conquered

subjects post Punic wars?• Slavery and Mediterranean culture– How Greece conquered Rome

Rome

• The end of the Republic– Gracchi: 133 and 121bc– Marius 157-86bc– Sulla 138-78bc– Middle of 1st century: • Pompey & Caesar• Caesar’s assassination• The rise of Octavian• Octavian and Antony