The Rise of SPQR6.3 | The Roman Confederate System

The Monarchy Overthrown

Established in 753 B.C. Lasted 243 years between 7 kings

Kings elected by the people Issues with accuracy (sacked 390 B.C.)

Tiny population Rape of the Sabines under Romulus 100 man senate as advisors to the king

Rome as head of Latin cities Latium Tarquinius, tyranny, Lucretia, and the revolt of the nobility 509

B.C.

Res Publica

Common, public property Public land Public opinion Public association

509 – 27 B.C.

The Early Roman Republic

Similar to the monarchy Two consuls who functioned as kings

Elected every two years The Senate stayed in place

Became permanent Tradition

Became prominent Experience

For the patrician class

The Struggle of the Orders

Secessions ending in 287 B.C. 1st – The Tribune of the Plebs 2nd – The Twelve Tables 3rd – Lex Hortensia

Expansion of the Republican government Senate is accessible by both

classes

The Republic Expands

Perpetual state of war Annexed their

neighbors, then the Latins, then various Italians tribes

The Roman state became militarized Service was required

to be Roman The Confederation

“Citizens” and “Allies” The scale of Roman

conflict grew

βοήθεια!

Magna Graecia was in a bit of a pickle around 300 B.C.

City-state drama and conflict with the Carthaginians

Rome conveniently gets in the middle of this and eventually moves legions into Magna Graecia

The Greeks call for help

A Guy Named Pyrrhus

From Epirus

Your typical Greek-loving ruler out for some gainAnswers the call for help by invading Italy

The Pyrrhic Wars280 B.C. – 272 B.C.

Greece Unleashed

Pyrrhus comes to Italy to defend the Greeks The Roman Confederation is waiting

Heraclea 280 BC Asculum 279 BC

“Pyrrhic Victory” The Confederation holds… but why?

Roman citizenship = $ $ = Rome must win

Off to Sicily

Pyrrhus invades Sicily to assist more Greeks Defeats the Carthaginians Rome and Carthage ally

Rome attacks Magna Graecia

Pyrrhus returns to help (1/3 of original army) Beneventum 275 BC Rome annexes Magna Graecia 272 BC Rome annexes the last Italian citiy south of the Po River 270 BC

Lessons Learned

The Roman Republic is now on the map The Roman Confederation is strong It is strong because Roman citizenship is a hot commodity

Rome knows how to beat the phalanx Rome knows how to fight against elephants

Rome knows how to rebound from a loss The Roman military is stable (citizenship and land) The Roman state is stable (in face of disaster)

Carthage beware… Rhegium and Sicily