CN: Lecture 11: Roman Expansion: The Italian Peninsula

roman becomes more then a urban area - takes more territory

imitational expansion:

shared identity linked Latin cities

Aeneas legend

shared material culture

shared festivals (Jupiter Lateris)

tended to be less exclusive (with each other)

not politically unified = struggle for region domination

wars did occur - battle of lake Regillus

Rome became the dominant

Later Roman writer present Rome as dominating Latium from very early

The reality different, Rome competed with several cities in Latium fir control of the region

there were conflicts between the Latin cities, and with various other peoples in central Italy - Struscans, Sabines, Aequi, Hernici, etc

Roman writers associate these conflicts with model citizens such as Cincinnatus (H/O) or Horatius

early period is constant warfare

recorded that battles came very close to Rome, not sure how trustworthy this is. winner writes history

stories tell you how true Romans should be, and behave. values are important to Romans, can show negative emotions and how Romans should not act.

significant:

Rome clashes with Veii during 5th century BCE

expand north of the Tiber, into Etruscans territory - Veii

Rome besieges Veii - 405-396BBC - probably only took 6 years - trying to be worthy?? of Greece and their stories - siege of troy

Rome's commander against Veii was Camillus - leads Rome to success - important leader in Roman history.

Etruscans asked for support but didn't get help - maybe a few who took pity but they were small.

Veii Defeated, territory incorporated into Rome

Veii struck off list of Etruscan cities, huge wealth increase for Rome.

steep cliffs running water on different sides

you had to own land to be a fighter in Rome, you had to defend your land therefore defending Rome.

Gauls settling down in northern Italy then sends raiding parties to ransack the villages

Roman army decimated at Allia - left Rome open to the Gauls

Capitol defended - holds out for 7 months

Gauls didn't want land just gold - Ransome paid - Gauls leave

Camillus has key role - "second founder of Rome"

stone defensive wall built: rebuilding of Rome

12 feet thick 24 feet high - backed by earth wall

"Servian Wall" - named after king

some remains are still in Rome

The End of the Latin League:

cities in Latium combine to try and check Rome's growing domination.

known as Great Latin War (341/0 - 338 BCE) - Livy VIII.3-14

Rome was victorious, but did not enslave the Latins -

Latin League was dissolved, 'confederacy' established - gave them jobs but under Rome

Latin cities given different levels of relationship with Rome from full citizenship, partial citizenship, and allies

they didn't have the right to vote in assemblies - far away so many couldn't get there anyway and wasn't a big issue in the beginning

some left with full autonomy but had to follow Roman laws - had to help when Rome needed it. they were surrounded by Rome

gave Rome a way to expand without constant supervision.

Samnite Wars:

first Samnite war - 340's B.C

Second Samnite War (326-304B.c.)

roman memory emphasises the ruggedness and persistence of the Romans

Caudine Forks 321 B.C.

Roman army trapped

Humiliating surrender

600 hostages kept by Samnites

Second handout talks about this

Rome regroups and are able to win

War and Infratructure:

publics Works in 312 BCE (Appius Claudius Caecus

he built the aquaduct

he also builds road to campani for military reasons to fight agaist Samnite

building of road network starts - all roads lead to Rome

Power of Rome:

the second and third Samnite Wars (298-290BCE respectively) show the growing strength of Rome

Serveral Roman Armies fight on different fronts simultaneously

See Livy 10.31 for example (handout)

romans have huge military and use this to assert dominance

Rome expanding through central Italy - had some setbacks but always got back up

Pyrrhus:

Roman present in southern Italy - Greece is there rn

"Defeats" Romans at Heraclea (280)

"Defeats" Romans at Ausculum (279)

when congratulated on his victories" Pyrrhus responds: 'one more victory over the Romans and we are completely done for!;21.9

goes to Sicily

comes back and is defeated.

Consequences of Pyrrus' Campaign:

increase of wealthy in Rome

many cities lose independence

causes Rome to reassert military control over other Italian peoples (eg. Samnites)

Rome's military operations change - campaigning season is no longer useful

longer campaigns (wintering over) to hold territory so it wasn't taken over again

facing elephants- covered and set pigs on fire and set them into elephants herds

presence in the Hellenistic World established

Rome became friends with Egypt.

rome expands out into mediterrian