The Republics Growth And crisis Rome began as

The Republic’s Growth And crisis

• Rome began as a small city state in central Italy. It expanded its power and conquered a large area around the Mediterranean Sea, but its system of government didn’t last.

The Punic Wars Carthage Result was the three Punic Wars 264 -146 BC Carthage had been founded as Phoenician colony 500 years earlier Dispute over control of Sicily and trade routes in the western Mediterranean brought Rome into conflict with the powerful North African city-state of Carthage

Hannibal’s Invasion • Hannibal – Carthage’s most successful general • 218 BCE – Marched from Spain over the Alps – 40, 000 Soldiers – 40 war elephants – Defeated Roman armies but Roman would still not give up • Scipio 204 BCE – Roman General attacked Carthage in Africa

Hannibal-the-Conqueror "I swear that so soon as age will permit. . . I will use fire and steel to arrest the destiny of Rome. " ~~Childhood Hannibal Quote Born about 247 - Died 183 BC

The End of Carthage • Although Carthage had been defeated Romans still feared it • 146 BCE Roman troops burn and looted the city to ensure it would not grow to be a threat once again • Rome now controls most of the land west of the Mediterranean – Also controls land in Asia and Greece – Empire- country/state containing several territories – Provinces- areas within the country governed by magistrates

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Breaking the Rules Growing Pains • Magistrates often became corrupt – Became wealthy by stealing from people – Looting from enemies over sea • Wealth made the magistrates more powerful – Magistrates are willing to break the rules – Government slowing stopped working

The Urban Poor • Although Rome is getting Richer many Romans are getting poorer • Landowners and employers buy slaves to do work that used to be done by poor Romans! • Poor people move to city to look for work

The Urban Poor cont. • Government feared Rome’s poor would incite a riot – Began giving out free grain • Politicians supported gangs from the two sides and encouraged fighting

The Power of the Army • Gaius Marius – Reformed army by having the government pay for equipment – Made the army more professional • Retirement for the army – Relied on commandor to make the government provide for retirement – Soldiers became more loyal to the army

From Republic to Empire

The Army • Military commanders used their power for evil – Turned armies against their rivals – First civil war • Civil War = war between groups from the same country

Marius and Sulla • 87 BCE – Confusion in Rome lead to Sulla and Marius both being elected to fight as general for Rome – So both men used their armies to fight one another – Sulla is victorious and rules as a dictator for over a year

Pompey and Caesar • After Sulla’s retirement new commanders rose up to take his place • Gnaeus Pompey – Conquered parts of southwest Asia • Julius Caesar – Conquered Gaul • Later the two commanders fought – Senate sided with Pompey – Troops were loyal to Caesar

Pompey and Caesar cont. • A civil war began between the two when Caesar marched his army across the Rubicon River into Italy. • Caesar is victorious – Declares himself dictator for life! • Caesar’s actions anger many senators – Killed March 15 th, 44 BCE (Ides of March)

The End of the Republic • In Caesar’s will his teenage relative (Octavian) was made his heir – Octavian became leader of Caesar’s many followers – Defeats Caesar’s murders in yet another civil war – Takes the title “Augustus” meaning greatly honored one • Later Octavian defeats his rival, Brutus • The Republic is replaced with a monarchy – The Roman Empire