Effects of Roman Expansion
Roman Expansion
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After its victory over
Carthage in the 3rd Punic
War
Rome expands both East
and West
Formed a loose alliance
of Italian cities
Became great
Mediterranean power
Created problems for the
Republic
1. Government
A republic remained in
Rome
 Changes were made to aid
the ruling of the larger
territory
 Senate got more power
 Control of: army, taxes,
foreign affairs, new
territories
 Division within Roman
Society
– Optimates vs. Populares
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Optimates vs. Populares
Optimates- those who served in public office
 Populares-the remainder of Roman citizens
(nonsenatorial class)
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2. Provinces (Newly acquired
territory)
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Each became a
collection of city-states
subject to Rome
Governed poorly by a
Pro-consul
Appointed by the
Senate, had support of
the army
1 year, no pay
Accepted bribes
Did not care about the
needs of the people
Provinces con’t
People living in the provinces were not granted
citizenship
– Rebelled often
 Subject to extremely high taxes
 Collected by Publicans
– They kept most of the money for themselves
– Paid only a fixed amount to the Roman treasury
 Widespread corruption spread throughout the provinces
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3. Agriculture
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Independent farming
decreased
Small citizen farming was
no longer a large part of
Roman life
Gov’t leased new
territory to anyone who
would pay for the land
Provided grain at a much
cheaper price than the
small farms
Agriculture con’t
Direct effects of the
Punic Wars
 Livestock killed,
homes destroyed
 Olive groves and
vineyards burned
 Small farmers sold
their land to the
wealthy creating
Latifundias (huge
estates)
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4. Growth of Cities
Population increased
as farmers moved
looking for food and
jobs
 Only landowners
could serve in the
army
 Slaves did most of the
work leaving many
citizens in the slums
 Had to depend on the
government for food
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5. Growth of Commerce
Trade increased
 Led to the increase
in the Equestrian
class
 Great wealth, but
little political power
 Business people
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6. Social Change
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Discipline and
devotion to the
state decreased
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Romans judged
citizens by their
wealth rather than
their character
7. Slave population
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The majority of the
population of Rome is
slave
Some were treated
fairly
Some were allowed to
purchase their
freedom
Most were treated
brutally
Slave revolts occurred
often
Problems of Rome
In your table groups,
rank the 7 problems
of Rome in order of
severity.
 Explain why your
group chose this
order
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