Section 10.3World History

The late republic period saw growth of territory and trade.

Through wars, Rome grew beyond Italy.

Several crises struck the republic in its later years.

Growth of Territory Within 200 years the Roman army had

conquered nearly all of Italy Mainly in response to outside threats

The Gauls (387 BC) Success was due to the organization of

the army Soldiers were organized into legions, or

groups of up to 6,000 soldiers. Each legion was divided into centuries, or

groups of 100 soldiers. Flexibility of the army allowed the Romans

to defeat most enemies

Farming and Trade Before Rome conquered Italy, most Romans

were farmers. As Rome grew, people left farms for the city Large farms were built and worked by slaves

Trade expanded due to Rome’s increasing population Could not grow enough food Merchants brought food, metal goods, and slaves to

Rome To pay for these goods, Romans made coinage

Gold Aureus of Roman Republic. c. 269 - 211 BCE.

Obverse: Head of Mars. Reverse: Eagle on a thunderbolt.

Silver Didrachms of the Roman Republic. 221 - 211 BCE. Obverse: Janiform head of Dioscuri.

Reverse: Jupiter in galloping quadriga driven right by Victory.

A series of three wars against Carthage, a city in Northern Africa, between 264 and 146 BC.

Punic means “Phoenician” War began on the island of Sicily

After almost 20 years, the Romans forced out their enemies and took control of the island

Attack on the city of Rome (218 BC) Led by Hannibal, one of the greatest generals of

the ancient world. Although one of the Roman’s fiercest enemies,

he was never able to capture the city. Romans declare war on Carthage (140s BC)

After the victory, the Roman burned the city, killed most of its people, and sold the rest into slavery.

Took control of Northern Africa

During the Punic Wars, Rome took control of Sicily, Corsica, Spain, and North Africa. Controlled most of the western Mediterranean

Conquered the southern part of Gaul (120s BC)

Conquered Greece and parts of Asia Romans were greatly influenced by the

Greeks. Adopted ideas about literature, art,

philosophy, religion, and education.

More territory = more problems Rich were getting richer and the poor

were getting poorer Resulted in violence between the two

Brothers Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus tried to help poor Romans by creating farms and selling food cheaply Purpose was to keep the poor happy and

prevent rebellion. Wealthy citizens opposed it and both Tiberius

and Gaius were both killed for their ideas.

In 107 BC, Marius encouraged poor people to join the army as more troops were needed. Thousands of poor joined Rome’s army and the

support gave Marius great political power Sulla came into conflict with Marius and a

civil war began in Rome. Sulla defeated Marius and named himself

dictator Spartacus, a former gladiator, led

thousands of slaves to fight for freedom. Took over much of southern Italy Was killed in battle and the revolt fell apart 6,000 slaves were executed