Expansion and Reform
Rome in the late 3rd and 2nd
centuries
The First Macedonian War
(215-205)
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Grew out of the second Punic War
Philip V allied with Hannibal
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Rome formed a coalition of cities
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Aetolian League: western Greece
Pergamum League: western Asia Minor, long time enemy
of Macedon
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King Attalus I
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Romans did not pursue the war vigourously
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Made peace - each keeping what they had
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The Second Macedonian War
(200-196)
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Attalus and some Greek cities urged
Rome to intervene
A number of Greek cities given “freedom”
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No foreign garrisons, no tribute, no change to
laws
But, freed cities had to acknowledge the
leadership and power of Rome
The Syrian War (192-189)
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Antiochus III, king of Syria, extended power into
Asia Minor and sent a small force into Greece
Rome declared war and defeated Antiochus
Antiochus had to leave Asia Minor, refrain from
alliances around the Aegean, surrender ships
Goal was stability in Greece and preservation of
Rome’s dominance in Greek world
The Third Macedonian War
(171-168)
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The son of Philip, Perseus, married the daughter of
Antiochus’ successor
War ended the Macedonian monarchy
Destroyed the wealthy commercial city of Corinth in
146 - head of the Achaean league
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Same year as Corinth
Marked an end of an ear in Roman expansion and, some
say, beginning of moral decline
Divided Macedonia into four regions
Relationship with the
Conquered
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Plundered cities, gained much wealth
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Killed many when sacking a city
Shared loot with everyone in the army equally
Influx of wealth greatly changed the look of cities
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Building programs and elaborate houses
Massive land confiscation
Massive enslavement of conquered peoples
Relationship with Allies
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Latium, Campania, southern Etruria, Sabinum had some
level of Roman citizenship
Etruria, Umbria, Samnium, and Greek cities in the south
remained allies, but no citizenship
Rome conficated massive amounts of land in Souther
Italy
Sentate sent out magistrates to search for signs of
disloyalty and punish those suspected of it
Hardening of the distinction between Romans and nonRomans
Shifted more burdens and less benefits of waging war to
the allies
Politics in the mid-2nd Century
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Rome ruled by a few families and favored the
wealthy classes
Often, success depended on support of other
elites and the senate
Some politicians began to base their position in
the city more on their ability to gain popularity
and mobilize crowds than on their standing with
peers
Led to unconventional elections to power and
reforms for the lower classes
Beginning of the decline of the power of the
Senate
Scipio Aemilianus
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Adopted by Public Cornelius Scipio, son of
Africanus
Served as consul in 147 BC
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Not old enough, had not served as Praetor
Able to win it because of the failure of the generals to
quickly win the 3rd Punic War
Not supported by the senate, tried to block him
Widespread support in the assembly
Assigned the war in Carthage and successfully
destroyed the city
Scipio Aemilianus
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Ran for censor in 142
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Rival was supported by the senate
Scipio had support from the populace
ambitiones - part of campaign in which
candidate walked through the Forum greeting
citizens and asking for support
Usually surrounded by prominent men
 Scipio walked with men of low birth and freedmen
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Won the office
Tiberius Gracchus
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From a wealthy and powerful family
Married to the daughter of Scipio Africanus
Served as Tribune beginning in 133 BC
Land Reform Law: regulated the use of public
lands (ager publicus populi Romani)
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Land obtained in wars
Limited individual to occupy 300 acres
Confiscated the rest and distributed to landless
Romans
Enabled more people to be eligible for the army
Tiberius Gracchus
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Law met much opposition in the senate
Sought reelection
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Feared that his enemies would try to
prosecute him when he left office
The pontifex maximus and some senators
attacked Tiberius and his supporters,
killing hundreds, including Tiberius
Gaius Gracchus
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Became tribune in 123 BC, and won reelection the
following year
Electrifying speaker
Wished to curb some of the excess power of the senate
Made it that capital punishment must be authorized by
citizens assembly, not the senate as before
Required Rome to buy and store grain, offering it at a
fixed price to Romans
Authorized the foundation of many colonies
Tried to pass a law that made all people with Latin
citizenship Roman citizens, and all with Italian citizenship
Latin citizens - not passed
Gaius Gracchus
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Tried to run again for tribune, unsuccessful
Consul, Opimius, tried to repeal a number of his
laws
Gaius and a number of followers attended a
meeting and confrontation followed
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Herald of Opimius was killed
Opimius ordered an attack and thousands were killed
Gaius committed suicide
Optimates vs. Populares
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Optimates: “the best” people in Rome;
sought election and power through
traditional means of gaining support of
fellow senators
Populares: advanced their careers and
agendas by seeking the popular support of
the citizen body