Emperor Trajan

Roman Senator debating

Republic – a government in which the people vote on representatives to run the government on their behalf

By 265 BCE, Rome controlled all of Italy

◦ Large military of citizen soldiers

◦ Imperialism – Establishing control over foreign lands/peoples

◦ Conquered lands became provinces

◦ Rome depended on riches gained from conquering people

As Rome expanded westward, came into contact & conflict with Carthage

264 - 146 BCE. Rome vs. Carthage◦ Carthage & Rome are equals

First war: Rome wins◦ Captured Sicily, Corsica, Sardinia (trade)

Second war: Rome wins◦ Carthage attack: Hannibal (Carthage)

marches army into Italy from North, while Rome expects attack from South

◦ For 15 years, Hannibal’s army crushes Italy, but stopped at Rome. Rome attacked N. Africa in 202 BCE,

forcing Hannibal to return to defend his homeland.

◦ After this, Carthage no longer a threat to Rome.

Third Punic War (149 BCE)◦ Rome decides to destroy Carthage,

with popular support.

◦ Rome defeats Carthage (146 BCE) Kill or sell into slavery all

survivors Burn the harbor Pour salt onto the farmland so

nothing would ever grow

Rome is now top dog in the Mediterranean

By 133 BCE, Rome extended from Spain to Egypt

Roman farmers fell into debt, due to influx of slaves & grain from conquered lands.

Attempts at government reform failed

Civil war◦ Senate – in power◦ Political/Military leaders – popular among people◦ Bread and Circuses – used to control population

Military general Julius Caesar marches army on Rome, taking senate’s power away & forcing them to make him dictator for life

Julius Caesar (44 BCE)◦ Senate thought Julius wanted to be king◦ Stabbed to death by the Senate,

leading to another civil war.

Nephew Octavian takes over (renamed Augustus)◦ Gave people jobs based on talent, not

connections◦ Took a census to collect better taxes

(census = population count)◦ Brings in 200 years of Roman Peace

(Pax Romana)◦ Republic comes to an end

Rome is now an EMPIRE◦ Empire – a territory ruled by a single,

supreme authority (not hereditary)