Ancient Rome Expansion: Italian Peninsula

• Ancient Rome expanded in four periods: conquering the Italian Peninsula (509-264 BCE), the Punic Wars, civil war (145-44 BCE), and the establishment of the Empire (44-14 BCE).

First Period of Expansion: Conquering the Italian Peninsula (509-264 BCE)

• Romans drove out the Etruscan King and formed a republic.
• The objectives were to protect borders and gain more land.
• A peace treaty was signed with Latin neighbors.
• Wars were fought against Etruscans and smaller tribes for 100 years.
• Rome was burned to the ground, but rebuilt its city and army.
• The Romans ultimately conquered the Etruscans and neighboring tribes, gaining control of the entire Italian peninsula.
• Rome had been fighting for two centuries and had to maintain a large, permanent army, leading more people to become soldiers. Positively, Rome had more citizens and well-trained soldiers than any other Mediterranean power.
• Carthage in North Africa felt threatened by Rome, leading to the Punic Wars

First Punic War

• Rome conquered the Greek city-states in Southern Italy.
• Carthage controlled much of the Mediterranean trade.
• Greek city-states in Southern Italy clashed with Carthage over trading rights.
• Rome was brought into the conflict upon conquering the Greek city-states.
• The war was mainly fought at sea.
• Carthage had a strong navy.
• The Romans copied and improved Carthaginian ship designs to build better ships.
• The Romans won and gained Sicily.

Third Period of Expansion: Civil War (145-44 BCE)

• Rome experienced problems at home including rebellion because allies paid taxes but were not considered citizens, inciting resentment.
• Rome agreed to grant citizenship to all Italians.
• There were slave revolts, one of the most famous led by Spartacus.
• Jobless Romans assembled in the city, turning into mobs and then an army.
• Generals began fighting for power in Rome
• Julius Caesar and Pompey, sought control of Rome
• Pompey won Syria and Cyprus, while Caesar conquered Gaul.
• The Roman Senate supported Pompey and forbade Caesar from returning to Rome
• Caesar ignored the Senate, initiating a three-year civil war.
• Caesar won the war and the Senate, out of fear, named Caesar dictator for life.
• The Roman Republic came to an end.
• Caesar introduced many reforms, including a huge building project for jobs, free gladiator contests to appease the poor, and citizenship for many conquered people.

End of the Third Period

• The third period of expansion ended with Caesar’s death.

Fourth Period of Expansion: Rome Becomes an Empire (44 -14 BCE)

• Julius Caesar's death launched Rome into 10 years of civil wars.
• After 10 years, Octavian emerged victorious and made himself the absolute ruler of Rome.
• Rome was now an empire ruled by an emperor.
• The Republic was completely destroyed.
• Augustus punished people harshly.
• Rebellion still killed many people.
• It was challenging and costly to control such a large empire.
• Augustus encouraged education, art, and literature.
• Grand construction projects were commissioned.
• Rome established its first police force, fire fighters and library
• The Empire continued to expand and established strong trade routes by building canals, harbors, and roads.
• The economy improved.