2.7: Expansion of the Roman Republic -T-

• History
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 1

The Time of Greeks and Romans

2.7: Expansion of the Roman Republic

THEORY

What you will learn in 

this lesson

• What were the Punic Wars?
• Who was Hannibal?
• How did Hannibal almost destroy Rome? 
• How was Hannibal defeated?
• What were the consequences of the Punic Wars?
• Why and how did the Roman army change?

Word Duty

expansion: getting bigger, larger

Punic Wars: three wars that were fought between Rome and Carthage

empire: when a country conquers other lands the country and its new territories are called an empire.

superpower: a very strong and powerful country

booty; valuable stolen goods, especially those seized in war.

legion: a Roman military unit that was made up of 5,000 soldiers who were called legionaries.

KEY WORDS

people in this lesson

Hannibal

general

Carthage

Marius

consul / general

Rome

Scipio 

consul / general

Rome

Important dates in this lesson:

264 - 241 BC:   First Punic War

219 - 202 BC:   Second Punic War

149 - 146 BC:   Third Punic War

100 BC: Marius reforms the Roman army 

Once the Romans had taken over the whole of Italy, they did not stop their expansion. This map shows you how the Roman empire grew bigger and bigger until it surrounded the Mediterranean Sea. How did the Romans become so powerful?

Expansion during the Republic

• Rome was a republic from 509 - 27 BC (about 5 centuries).
• Grew from an Italian city-state to an empire and by 265 BC, they controlled Southern Italy (Greek city-states).
• Roman trade grew, supporting the economy and expansion.
• Needed access to seaports for trade.
• Carthage (modern Tunisia) controlled lands in North Africa, Spain, and Sicily.
• Carthaginians had a stronger navy and competed for Southern Italy and trade.

Reconstruction image of ancient Carthage and its harbour as it appeared before Roman conquest - situated in modern day Tunisia

The Punic Wars

The first war with Carthage, or the first Punic War (264-241 BC), was fought over Sicily. 

• Rome defeated Carthage after 23 years > Carthage recovered and started the second Punic war in 218 BC.

• The Carthaginian general Hannibal surprised the Romans by leading an army (including 60 war elephants!) across the Alps into Italy.
• He won battles at lake Trasimeno (217 BC) and Cannae (216 BC) > This scared the Romans because they expected him to attack Rome next.

Modern reconstruction drawing of the Carthaginian army crossing the Alps with elephants

Modern reconstruction drawing of the Carthaginian army crossing the Alps with elephants

Hannibal defeated

• Hannibal's army weakened after crossing the Alps and was unable to attack Rome directly > So he attacked cities and towns throughout Italy 
• Rome was worried and kept a large army near the capital, limiting their ability to catch Hannibal
• Roman general Scipio devised a new strategy—he attacked Carthage itself.
• In panic, Carthage recalled Hannibal and his army.
• Scipio was prepared, and in a bloody battle, Hannibal's army was defeated 
• Though Hannibal escaped, Rome forced Carthage to reduce its military and pay tribute.

Reconstruction image of ancient Carthage and its harbour as it appeared before Roman conquest - situated in modern day Tunisia

Rome's secret weapon

The First Punic War was fought largely over the island of Sicily. This meant a lot of the fighting was at sea where Carthage had the advantage of a much stronger navy than Rome. However, Rome quickly built up a large navy of over 100 ships. Rome also invented the corvus, a type of assault bridge that allowed Rome's superior soldiers to board enemy navy vessels. Rome soon dominated Carthage and won the war.

The end of Carthage

• Rome let Carthage rebuild over time, but some senators did not like this > they were scared that Carthage would attack again

• The senate was so afraid that Cartage might rise again that they made sure it never would > They attacked Carthage and during this Third Punic War (149-146 BC) the Romans completely destroyed Carthage and put salt on their fields, so nothing could ever grow there again. 
• Carthage would never recover.

Modern drawing that gives an impression of the final battle of Carthage.

Roman triremes sail towards the harbour of the city of Carthage

Modern drawing that gives an impression of the final battle of Carthage.

Roman soldiers use the "turtle" formation, using their shields to make a roof that protects them from arrows and projectiles.

Consequences of the Punic Wars

After the Punic Wars, Rome became a regional superpower and took over Carthaginian territories. = a very strong country

• Rome gained control of southern Italy, including Greek colonies, and took Carthaginian possessions in Spain.
• Expansion brought new wealth to Rome, including war booty like beautiful statues.
• Proud generals displayed their spoils, making other Romans jealous and eager for more conquests > Rome soon launched wars to take over rich lands, including Greece.
• Greek culture became highly popular in Rome

1. Patricians spoke Greek in public instead of Latin.
2. Many Greek prisoners of war were brought to Rome, working as slaves or teaching Greek.
3. Rome adopted Greek myths, architecture, and gods—giving them Roman names.

map: the Roman empire, including Greece, in 146 BC

bottom picture: Roman soldiers have captured the Greek city of Athens

a Professional army

• Early Roman armies were similar to Greek armies, everyone paid for their own armour and it was not professional.
• The empire got bigger and needed more soldiers so Gaius Marius changed the organisation of the army in 100 BC.

 From then on:

• poor citizens could also join the army.
• Rome paid the armour and equipment
• soldiers signed up for a fixed period of time (16 to 20 years)
• soldiers were paid wages for their service
• the army was organised into legions, each made up of around 5,000 soldiers.

Rome now had a full-time professional army.

top picture: Roman legionaries during the Republican era.

bottom: overview of one Roman legion

Marius' mules

Gaius Marius also introduced other reforms. To ensure his soldiers were fit he ordered them to go on long route-marches. While doing this they had to carry their own cooking utensils, three days' food rations, a sickle, rope, pick-axe, turf-cutter, shield, sword and javelin. Not surprisingly, Roman legionnaires obtained the nick-name "Marius' mules".

Summary 2.7

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If you want to learn more about Hannibal's war against Rome you can watch this 90 minute film. Not mandatory, but interesting nonetheless....