The middle republic (264–133 bc)

Question 1

The first two Punic Wars

Answer 1

• First Punic War (264–241 bc)
• fought between Carthage and Rome between 264 and 241 BCE, largely over control of Sicily.
• After victory the Romans in 256 boldly sent an expeditionary force to Africa to attack Carthage itself, but this daring adventure under Marcus Atilus Regulus ended in failure.
• Second Punic War (218–201 bc)
• war was begun by Philip V of Macedonia, who was worried about Roman expansion in Illyria, on his western border
• Carthage was left as an independent state but had to give up everything outside an area roughly equivalent to that of modern Tunisia, to surrender its fleet, and to pay an indemnity over a period of 50 years

Question 2

The establishment of Roman hegemony in the Mediterranean world

Answer 2

• The nature of Roman domination in the East began to change decisively after these wars: in place of influence through embassies, arbitration of disputes, and the occasional military incursion came direct rule.
• Macedonia was annexed as a province, to be governed and taxed by a Roman proconsul
• As a result of the Second Punic War, Roman legions had marched into Spain against the Carthaginians and remained there after 201.
• The war against Carthage, with its prospects of rich booty, presented no recruiting problems for the Romans: huge land and naval forces were sent out under both consuls of 149, Lucius Marcius Censorinus and Manius Manilius.

Question 3

Beginnings of provincial administration

Answer 3

• Rome dominated its Latin and Italian neighbours by incorporating some into the Roman citizen body and by forming bilateral alliances with most of the Italian city-states.
• The provincial administrative apparatuses were minimal and unprofessional, as the Romans relied heavily on the local elites as mediators.
• The governor’s main duties were to maintain order and security and to collect revenues