Comparisons with US government
Balance of power
Senate and House of Representatives
Consul (= president)
Tribune (veto power)
Courts (independent)
Military power (?)
Censor (?)
Slide 9
Centuries — 100 armed men
Headed by Centurian (from the ranks)
Maniples—3 Centuries
Could move quickly through difficult terrain (better than phalanx)
Independent decisions (tribunes)
Legions—groups of Maniples
6000 men
Supported by light cavalry
Discipline
Death for individual insubordination
Decimation for cowardice
Slide 10
Conquest of Italy
Took 200 years
Granted full or partial citizenship
Tax and legal benefits
Developed loyalty in conquered Italian areas
Invasion by King Pyrrhus (pyrrhic victory)
Roman colonies
Established in strategic locations
Established by treaty
Troops sent when needed
Customs of the area left intact
Colonies were mostly for trade, with some military purposes
Slide 11
Punic Wars
Phoenicians (Poeni)
Sicily
Hannibal attacked Rome
Help of non-Roman Italians(?)
Slide 12
Roman Expansion (outside Italy)
Conquest of the East and West
Allies rather than servants or slaves
Toleration
Corruption in the Greek kingdoms
Some states given to the Romans
Fast, direct attacks with strong determination and discipline
Outnumbered in most battles
Victory over Parthia (parthian shot)
Slide 13
Structure of the "empire"
Still a republican form of government
Checks and balances
Two parties emerged
Optimares (conservatives, Cato and Cicero)
Populares (power to people)
Family
Values (according to the Romans)
Piety
Discipline
Frugality
Not greedy
Righteous wars
Never quit
Slide 14
Building an Empire
Status of Women
Absence of men at war
Women gained economic power
Ability to divorce and retain property
Morals eventually eroded, in part because home-life eroded
Slide 15
Building an Empire
Slavery
Conquests increased the number of slaves
Constituted 40% of the population
Conditions were poor
Romans feared slave uprising