Ancient Rome

Question 1

Early Rome to 509 bc

Answer 1

• When Italy emerged into the light of history about 700 bc, it was already inhabited by various peoples of different cultures and languages.
• The regal period (753–509 bc) and the early republic (509–280 bc) are the most poorly documented periods of Roman history because historical accounts of Rome were not written until much later.
• the first 10 books of Livy, one of Rome’s greatest historians, are extant and cover Roman affairs from earliest times to the year 293 bc
• Romulus, Rome’s first king according to tradition

Question 2

Early centuries of the Roman Republic

Answer 2

• One prevalent modern view is that the monarchy at Rome was incidentally terminated through military defeat and foreign intervention.
• as the Roman state grew in size and power during the early republic (509–280 bc), new offices and institutions were created, and old ones were adapted to cope with the changing military, political, social, and economic needs of the state and its populace.
• The Senate may have existed under the monarchy and served as an advisory council for the king. Its name suggests that it was originally composed of elderly men (senes), whose age and knowledge of traditions must have been highly valued in a preliterate society.
• During the republic two different assemblies elected magistrates, exercised legislative power, and made other important decisions.
• A special board of 10 men (decemviri) was appointed for 451 bc to draw up a law code. The law code was inscribed upon 12 bronze tablets and publicly displayed in the Forum
• Although the Latins dwelled in politically independent towns, their common language and culture produced cooperation in religion, law, and warfare
• According to ancient tradition, Rome’s last three kings not only transformed Rome into a real city but also made it the leader of the Latin League.
• Rome’s rapid rise during the 6th century was the achievement of its Etruscan overlords, and the city quickly declined with the collapse of Etruscan power in Campania and Latium about 500 bc.

Question 3

Roman expansion in Italy

Answer 3

• Toward the end of the 5th century, the Romans began to expand at the expense of Etruscan states.
• Though the Romans did not wage wars for religious ends, they often used religious means to assist their war effort
• Rome’s first major war against an organized state was fought with Fidenae (437–426 bc), a town located just upstream from Rome. After it had been conquered, its land was annexed to Roman territory
• During the 40 years after the second treaty with Carthage, Rome rapidly rose to a position of hegemony in Italy south of the Po valley.
• Despite its brevity (343–341 bc), the First Samnite War resulted in the major acquisition to the Roman state of the rich land of Campania with its capital of Capua
• Romans soon confronted the Samnites of the middle Liris (modern Liri) River valley, sparking the Second, or Great, Samnite War (326–304 bc).
• During the first half of the war Rome suffered serious defeats, but the second half saw Rome’s recovery, reorganization, and ultimate victory.
• The Third Samnite War (298–290 bc) was the last desperate attempt of the Samnites to remain independent. Rome emerged victorious over this formidable coalition at the battle of Sentinum in 295
• Rome spent the 280s bc putting down unrest in northern Italy, but its attention was soon directed to the far south as well by a quarrel between the Greek city of Thurii and a Samnite tribe.
• Pyrrhus arrived in southern Italy in 280 bc with 20 elephants and 25,000 highly trained soldiers. After defeating the Romans at Heraclea and stirring up revolt among the Samnites, he offered peace terms that would have confined Roman power to central Italy.
• Pyrrhus again defeated the Romans in 279 at Asculum.