Week 5 Flashcards
In which 2 regions did the Samnite Wars occur?
Campania and Samnia
What language did the Samnite peoples speak?
Oscan
What caused the first Samnite War?
- The Samnites became overpopulated, so they started sending inhabtiants to settle in Capua
- The Capuans, being overwhelmed, asked Rome for help
What caused the second Samnite War?
- Samnites migrated into Neapolis
- Neapolis asked Rome for help
During the 3rd Samnite War, who did the Samnites ally themselves with?
Greeks in the region
During the 3rd Samnite War, who did the Romans ally themselves with?
The Latins
True or False: The loot and spoils from the Third Samnite War was immense
TRUE
By the end of the Third Samnite War, Rome had considerable control in ___________
Campania
The Samnite Wars were Romes’ first time fighting against mountain peoples. To adapt to the difficult terrain, the Romans switched from ___________ to ___________.
Romans switched from phalanx to Manipular Legions
Typically, the Samnites fought in the ____________ style
Heroic
Define Triarii
- Troops forming the rear line of a Manipular Legion
- Composed of battle hardened elite veterans
Define Principes
- Troops forming the middle line of a Manipular legion
- Well-trained, regular experienced troops
Define Hastati
- Troops forming the front line of a Manipular Legion
- Composed of new recruits
What composed the Manipular Legion?
- 60 Triarii
- 120 Principes
- 120 Hastati
What did the Romans learn from the Samnite Wars?
- Romans adopted Samnite style oval shields
- Romans adopted the pilum from the Samnites
- Development of light infantry
- Development of better cavalry techniques
Why did the Latins revolt against Rome?
- Because they were unhappy with how they were treated in the Latin League
What did Rome gain from defeating the Latin revolt?
All of central Italy
Why did Phyrrus of Epirus invade Italy?
- Because the Greek colony of Tarentum asked Phyrrus for help against Roman encroachment
True or False: Phyrrus was Alexander’s cousin
TRUE
What did the Romans call Phyrrus’ elephants?
Lucanian Cows
What was Phyrrus’ great problem while fighting the Romans?
No matter how many times he beat the Romans, the Romans could resupply quite easily while he could not
How did Phyrrus die?
- After he returned to Greece
- He was in a street fight, and a woman from the roof of her house threw a roof tile to protect her son in the fight, and it hit Pyhrrus in the head, killing him
In which year did Rome have all of Italy under its control?
264 BC
When were the Punic Wars?
- 264-146 BC
What are some similarities and differences between the Carthaginian government and Roman government?
Similarities:
- Carthage had 2 sufetes, Rome had 2 consuls
Differences
- Carthaginian people had very little say in government (unlike Rome)
- Sufetes did NOT engage in war (contrary to Rome’s consuls)
How many years did the First Punic War last?
20 years
Who won the First Punic War?
The Romans (at a huge cost)
Where was the majority of the First Punic War fought?
Sicily
What caused the First Punic War?
The Mamertime Incident:
- King of Syracuse hired mercenaries from other Greek states in Sicily
- When they were disbanded, the Mamertine mercenaries, refused, and instead, pillaged the Sicilian countryside
- So, the Syracusans decided to go and subdue the rogue Mamertines
- Mamertines asked both Carthage AND Rome for help
- Romans agreed, but ended up ignoring helping the Mamertines, and simply taking over Messina
- Syracuse, angry at this, allied with Carthage to fight Rome
What did the Romans do to take initiative at the start of the First Punic War?
- They attacked Syracuse and made them surrender before the Carthaginians could come to their aid
How did the Romans manage to upgrade their navy to be equal to the Carthaginians?
→ By luck, the Romans found a wrecked Carthaginian ship at Messana, and copied the design
–> These were Quinqueremes
True or False: Romans often used slaves as rowers on ships.
FALSE
–> Rowers were trained, paid soldiers
Define Corvus
- The Roman plank used to board enemy ships
- Also known as the “Crow”
Why was the Corvus important?
- Because even with new ships, the Romans knew they couldn’t win sea battles against Carthage
- So, they decided that boarding enemy ships would turn a naval fight, into a land battle, thus giving Rome the advantage in naval warfare
What was the first ever Roman naval victory?
Battle of Mylae 260 BC, against the Carthaginians in the First Punic War
The Barcid family name means:
Lightning/thunder
What treaty did the Romans make to stop the recently successful Carthaginians from expanding closer to Roman territory in Spain?
Ebro River Treaty
This siege of this Roman allied city south of the Ebro River by Hannibal sparked military hostilities, ushering forth the Second Punic War.
Saguntum, 219 BC
How long does Hannibal’s siege of Saguntum take?
10 months
What negative attributes did Livy ascribe to Hannibal?
- Cruel
- Unreligious
- Unpious
How did Hannibal blast through rock while crossing the alps?
Vinegar and Heat
True or False: Hannibal didn’t lose any elephants during the initial crossing of the alps
TRUE
What portion of Hannibal’s army was lost crossing the alps?
1/2
What was Hannibal’s elephant’s name?
Surus
What was the first battle of the Second Punic War? Who won it?
Battle of the Ticinus River 218 BC
Hannibal wins
In which battle did Hannibal force the Romans into a battle before they could eat breakfast on a freezing morning?
Trebia
After this stunning victory, Hannibal COULD HAVE gone directly to Rome, but chose not to.
Lake Trasimene
Which Roman commander was nicknamed “The Shield of Rome” and the “Evader”?
Fabius
Describe Fabius’ strategy:
- Fabius’ strategy was NOT to engage the Romans directly in battle
How did Hannibal try to provoke the cautious Fabius into fighting?
- burning crops and pillaging nearby villages and innocent people
What was the most devastating Roman defeat?
The Battle of Cannae, 216 BC
What percentage of their army did the Romans lose at Cannae?
80%
(Carthaginians lost 15%)
According to Livy, why did Hannibal’s army grow weak while in winter quarters in Capua?
- Because they were softened by pleasure, wealth and luxury in Capua
What Roman cavalryman and commander was famous for his use of a prosthetic hand?
Marcus Surgius
Which major city revolted against Rome during the Second Punic War?
Syracuse
What general did the Romans send to subdue and besiege Syracuse?
Marcellus
What Roman general was nicknamed the “Sword of Rome”?
Marcellus
What famous inventor impeded the Roman siege of Syracuse with his siege defence mechanisms?
Archimedes
Explain the death of Archimedes:
- Marcellus ordered his men NOT to kill Archimedes
- But, one Roman soldier saw an old man working on mathematics, ordered him to follow, the man refused, so the soldier killed him. The old man was Archimedes. The Roman soldier was executed
Why did Rome send troops to Spain during the Second Punic War?
To prevent Hasdrubal’s reinforcements from getting to Hannibal
What huge victory did the Romans achieve in North Africa?
Battle of Zama 202 BC
How did the Romans respond to the Carthaginian elephants at Zama?
- They made open lanes for the Elephants to run through into a trap
What were the 4 agreements of Peace Negotiations following the Second Punic War?
- Carthage had to pay 10 000 Euboean talents (500 million CAD) over a span of 50 years
- Carthaginians prohibited from expanding any further than Carthage
- Carthage CANNOT go to war without Roman consent
- Carthage had to give troops to Rome
What 4 new provinces did Rome acquire from the Second Punic War?
- Sicily
- Sardinia/Corsica
- Nearer Spain
- Farther Spain