Rome and the Mediterranean Flashcards
how was the Roman Republic governed in 264 BCE?
by an all-male senate composed of wealthy elite individuals with a militaristic focus
what was the incentives for Romans to fight during the Roman Republic?
warfare was essential for elite advancement in politics. Roman economy dependant on regular influxes of stolen wealth, land, and slaves
who was the main power in the Western Med in the 3rd century BC?
Carthage, a naval power
what regions were under Carthaginian influence during the 3rd century BC?
North Africa, Sicily, Sardinia, Southern Spain
when was the First Punic War?
264-241 BC
what was the cause of the First Punic War?
Rome’s intervention in a conflict between Messana (a Roman ally) and Syracuse (a Carthaginian ally) in Sicily
what was significant about how the First Punic War was fought?
it was almost entirely made up of naval battles on the coast of Sicily
What were the outcomes of the First Punic War
Rome gained control of Sicily. Carthage freed Roman POWs, and paid 2200 gold talents in reparations
when was the Second Punic War?
218-201 BC
what triggered the Second Punic War?
Hannibal Barca’s siege of Saguntum and subsequent march to Italy
who was Hannibal Barca and what was his major Victory during the Second Punic War?
a Carthaginian general who killed around 70,000 Romans at the Battle of Cannae in 216 BC
what led to the end of the Second Punic War?
the Roman Army under Scipio Africanus invaded North Africa and defeated Hannibal at the Battle of Zama
what were the terms of peace after the Second Punic War?
Carthage dismantled its fleet, handed over war elephants, paid 10,000 talents over 50 years, and promised not to wage war without Roman permission; Rome is left as the only major power in the Western Mediterranean
why did Rome fight Carthage?
defensive/reactive? aggressive/expansionist? Roman militarism (warfare is essential to politics)?
what were the major Hellenistic kingdoms in the Eastern Mediterranean during the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC?
Macedonia, Seleucid Empire, Ptolemaic Empire, and various Greek city-states
what was the nature of the societies in the Eastern Mediterranean?
well established urban societies, lots of wealth; political, cultural, and military competition between states
why did Greek cities appeal to Rome for protection in 200 BC?
they sought protection against the Macedonian king Philip V
what was the result of Rome’s conflicts with Macedonia?
Rome dismantled the Macedonian kingdom in 168 BC. Aligns themselves with Alexander the Great - declares the Greeks as ‘free’
how did Rome exert influence over the Greek cities in Asia Minor?
by siding with them against the Seleucid Empire and installing rulers like the rulers of Pergamon as client-kings
what was the significance of Flamininus to the Greek city-states?
Coins were minted with his head on, he was given divine honours - hellenistic trend of ruler worship
what was the significance of the destruction of Corinth and Carthage in 146 BC?
it symbolised Rome’s new status and power in the Mediterranean world
how did Roman expansion impact Roman society economically and culturally?
it brought massive wealth, artwork, and Greek culture to Rome, and led to a slave-based economy
what was the role of the Magna Mater in Roman religion?
introduced to Rome in 204 BC for protection against Hannibal, the Magna Mater (Cybele) became a major goddess despite her ‘foreign’ aspects (self-castrated priests)
how did the Romans view their expansion in the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC?
it was not seen as the result of a conscious plan but a series of reactions to various circumstances and opportunities
what marked the turning point in Roman power in the mid-2nd century BC?
the destruction of Carthage and Corinth in 146 BC
what was the impact of Hellenistic Greek culture on Rome
Rome absorbed and was influenced by Greek culture, becoming the last Hellenistic kingdom
how did Mediterranean connectivity contribute to the growth of Roman power?
it facilitated the increasing influence and interactions between different regions, contributing to Rome’s expansion
