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From Republic to Empire. Punic Wars (264-146 B.C.) Punicius - Latin for “Phoenician” 1 st Punic War- Rome defeats Carthage and controls Sicily, Corsica, and Sardinia . 2 nd Punic War Carthage sought revenge Hannibal- Trek across the Alps; won many battles but never captured Rome
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Punic Wars (264-146 B.C.) • Punicius- Latin for “Phoenician” • 1st Punic War- Rome defeats Carthage and controls Sicily, Corsica, and Sardinia
2nd Punic War • Carthage sought revenge • Hannibal- Trek across the Alps; won many battles but never captured Rome • Carthage gave up all land outside of Africa
3rd Punic War • “Carthage must be destroyed” (Cato) • Romans destroy Carthage and control western Mediterranean
Other Conquests • Imperialism- establishing control over foreign lands and peoples • Romans go east to confront Macedonian and Greek rulers • Provinces- Roman provinces were land under Roman rule • Mare Nostrum- “Our Sea”
Social and Economic Effects • Latifundia- huge estates controlled by wealthy families • Transition from agricultural life to city life • Flock to Rome looking for jobs • Greed and self-interest
Attempts at Reform • Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus • Distribute land to poor farmers • Using public funds to feed the poor • Killed by planned riots
Decline of the Republic • Civil wars between Senate and individual political leaders • Slave revolts
Julius Caesar’s Rise to Power • 59 B.C.- Conquered Gaul (France) • Pompey persuades an order of Caesar to disband his army • Veni, Vidi, Vici • Absolute ruler of Rome
Caesar’s Reforms • Public works • Broader Roman citizenship • Julian Calendar
Assassination and Civil Wars • Fear of Caesar making himself king • 44 B.C.- Stabbed in the senate • Mark Antony and Octavian
Roman Empire and Roman Peace • Augustus- “Exalted One” • 500 year old republic had come to an end
A Stable Government • Civil service to enforce laws • Self-government • Census- Population count • Postal service, created jobs for the unemployed • Not a peaceful transfer of power
Bad Emperors and Good Emperors • Caligula and Nero • Hadrian- codified Roman law, Hadrian’s Wall
Pax Romana- “Roman Peace” • Marcus Aurelius- Meditations • 200 year span from Augustus to Marcus Aurelius • Trade from distant lands • Hellenism throughout Roman Empire
Bread and Circuses • Circus Maximus- Chariots, gambling • Gladiator contests • Used to pacify the mobs • Free grain to feed the poor