Qui non est hodie cras minus aptus erit.
He who is not prepared today will be less so tomorrow. - Ovid
(Bissette, 2009, para. 6)
Painting of the Punic Wars
The Punic Wars
Carthage, on the tip of Africa, wants the Mediterranean Sea. Rome, in Italy, wants the Mediterranean Sea. Uh Oh!! TENSION AND HATRED fills these two cities!!
The first Punic War: 23 years
Carthage has a great navy. Rome has no navy. One day, a Carthage Ship washes into Romans hand....the Romans "mass produce" this ship....mass produced for ancient times! Rome still has a stronger land force hand on hand combat. Unfortunately for Carthage, they use it on the sea. Romans board Carthage's ships and fight as on land! Ah! Well, Rome wins this war and gains Sicily, Sardinia, and Corsica...the Mediterranean is almost theirs!
The Second Punic War:
A young, but extremely talented, intelligent, and ambitious young man from Carthage from Hannibal wants revenge on Rome. He saw his father sign a peace treaty during the first Punic War....no military man would like this...it's degrading! Hannibal decides he needs to sneak up on the Romans, so he travels through Spain, the Pyrenees Mountains, and the Alps. He loses 2/3 of his men..elephants and all, but he still manages to utterly destroy the Roman coast...but not Rome. The prized possession of all Romans, their city, is well protected. Even so, Hannibal still humiliates the Romans in the battle of Cannae. The Romans out number Carthage, but, amazingly, Carthage, or should I say Hannibal's brilliance, defeats the Romans!!! A Roman general named Skippio decides something needs to change...why not attack Carthage herself? He does, that genius man...he saved Rome forever!! Hannibal must retreat to Carthage to fight off the Romans and he loses :( Poor guy, Rome still dominates the Mediterranean area.
The Third (and last) Punic War: 146bc
Rome never sleeps well with Carthage still around. There's an underlying hatred and caution. What if Carthage becomes a strong power again? They destroyed us once before, those horrible people. We MUST destroy them!! That they do. The Romans head over to Carthage and demolish it, burning and all. Carthage will never be a threat again; they are gone. Rome gained all of Carthage's land. They are the sole rulers of the Mediterranean.
How did the Punic Wars Help Rome???
Land! Rome gained much land, helping them to transition into an empire. Additionally, they gained control of the Mediterranean. All the trade was theirs, an economic boost. Both factors, land and economy, strengthened Rome's power in the ancient world. The wars also brought military change. Roman citizens were tired and sick of fighting because they were forced to. Therefore, this guy named Marius puts a paid army into play. They are paid soldiers with lots of discipline. Veterans will get land. This also shifts the power to generals; the soldiers do what they say, not what the Republic says.....
Summary: Rome won all three Punic Wars gaining all or Carthage's land and the Mediterranean Sea. Their universal power increased as well as their economy. All Mediterranean trading was theirs!
A GREAT video about the first Punic War
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1KJ5ypT6_s
A video about the 2nd Punic war
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pB0sTmnH8jo
Links:
http://wsu.edu/~dee/ROME/PUNICWAR.HTM
http://www.boisestate.edu/courses/westciv/punicwar/
Hannibal
Julius Caesar
Caesar
Julius Caesar:
Caesar came from an aristocratic family and was given the gift of knowledge. He went to school and was an overall loveable man. Luckily for him, Rome fell into a civil war. The plebeians wanted more and, of course, the patricians did not want to give them more. To top it off, Rome was plagued with much slavery, homelessness, and corruption.
Caesar seized this opportunity. Teaming up with his buddies Pompey and Crassus, Caesar was elected consul in 59BC. Well, kind of. Pompey, Crassus, and Caesar all ruled as a consul in something called a triumvirate.
Once his year was up, Caesar obeyed the rules and left as consul. He went with the army to Gaul (modern day France) and conquered land. Romans grew even fonder of him for this!! Meantime, Crassus died in a humiliating battle over in Asia, and Pompey was just resting away in Rome. Jealously. Everyone loved Caesar, and Pompey and other senators hated this. Therefore, Pompey ordered Caesar to come back to Rome when really, he didn’t have this right. Well, sagacious Caesar sensed something was wrong and did come back to Rome but with his army to take over Rome—successfully.
So, Rome is awesome to her people. Citizens love Caesar even though he declared himself and absolute ruler. He made laws to help the poor and only loosely worked with the senate. Two of Caesar’s “friends” took matters into their own hand. Marcus Brutus and Gaius Cassius planned an assassination with the Senate. On March 15, 44BC (“The Ides of March”), Caesar was stabbed to death…L….the end for Caesar….?
What now?Well, now there is chaos. A civil war…again. Do you know what happens? I think so!!
Caesar had an adopted son, Octavian (from Night at the Museum, check it out!). He, Mark Antony, and Lepidus supported Caesar. They formed the second Triumvirate and took over Rome.
Octavian and Antony got sick of Lepidus and he retired, only by force. Probably a life or death situation, but I wouldn’t know.
Antony and Octavian grew to hate each other. Antony decides to leave Rome and chase after Cleopatra. All was well, not really, but maybe for a little while. Antony starts allowing Cleopatra to make decisions for Rome. This absolutely ENFURIATES Octavian. He goes to battle with Antony on the sea. It is called Actium. Octavian wins, Antony dies, and Cleopatra commits suicide.
All is well, for real this time. Octavian brings the Republic back, sort of. He allows the senate to be there, but ultimately, he has the absolute power in Rome. This is alright; he gives rights to the poor and people love him. Oh yeah, he ends up changing his name to Augustus Caesar. Rome enters a Pax Romana!! (Time of peace!)
Summary: Caesar initially served in a triumvirate with Crassus and Pompey. Eventually, he returned to take over Rome. People loved him; he helped the poor. The senate didn't like him and killed him. His nephew, Octavian, established the Second Triumvirate with Lepidus and Mark Antony. Mark Antony fell in love with Cleopatra and let her make decisions. Octavian got mad and beat him in the battle of Actium, causing Cleopatra to kill herself. Octavian, now Augustus, ruled well giving rights to the poor. He left Rome entering the Pax Romana.
Here are 3 videos about Julius Caeasar. They're in 3 parts. Pretty in depth.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JO565zLOQSc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVkAEDyMl9U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z88_UTf23nc
Links:
www.vroma.org/~bmcmanus/caesar.html
Caesar came from an aristocratic family and was given the gift of knowledge. He went to school and was an overall loveable man. Luckily for him, Rome fell into a civil war. The plebeians wanted more and, of course, the patricians did not want to give them more. To top it off, Rome was plagued with much slavery, homelessness, and corruption.
Caesar seized this opportunity. Teaming up with his buddies Pompey and Crassus, Caesar was elected consul in 59BC. Well, kind of. Pompey, Crassus, and Caesar all ruled as a consul in something called a triumvirate.
Once his year was up, Caesar obeyed the rules and left as consul. He went with the army to Gaul (modern day France) and conquered land. Romans grew even fonder of him for this!! Meantime, Crassus died in a humiliating battle over in Asia, and Pompey was just resting away in Rome. Jealously. Everyone loved Caesar, and Pompey and other senators hated this. Therefore, Pompey ordered Caesar to come back to Rome when really, he didn’t have this right. Well, sagacious Caesar sensed something was wrong and did come back to Rome but with his army to take over Rome—successfully.
So, Rome is awesome to her people. Citizens love Caesar even though he declared himself and absolute ruler. He made laws to help the poor and only loosely worked with the senate. Two of Caesar’s “friends” took matters into their own hand. Marcus Brutus and Gaius Cassius planned an assassination with the Senate. On March 15, 44BC (“The Ides of March”), Caesar was stabbed to death…L….the end for Caesar….?
What now?Well, now there is chaos. A civil war…again. Do you know what happens? I think so!!
Caesar had an adopted son, Octavian (from Night at the Museum, check it out!). He, Mark Antony, and Lepidus supported Caesar. They formed the second Triumvirate and took over Rome.
Octavian and Antony got sick of Lepidus and he retired, only by force. Probably a life or death situation, but I wouldn’t know.
Antony and Octavian grew to hate each other. Antony decides to leave Rome and chase after Cleopatra. All was well, not really, but maybe for a little while. Antony starts allowing Cleopatra to make decisions for Rome. This absolutely ENFURIATES Octavian. He goes to battle with Antony on the sea. It is called Actium. Octavian wins, Antony dies, and Cleopatra commits suicide.
All is well, for real this time. Octavian brings the Republic back, sort of. He allows the senate to be there, but ultimately, he has the absolute power in Rome. This is alright; he gives rights to the poor and people love him. Oh yeah, he ends up changing his name to Augustus Caesar. Rome enters a Pax Romana!! (Time of peace!)
Summary: Caesar initially served in a triumvirate with Crassus and Pompey. Eventually, he returned to take over Rome. People loved him; he helped the poor. The senate didn't like him and killed him. His nephew, Octavian, established the Second Triumvirate with Lepidus and Mark Antony. Mark Antony fell in love with Cleopatra and let her make decisions. Octavian got mad and beat him in the battle of Actium, causing Cleopatra to kill herself. Octavian, now Augustus, ruled well giving rights to the poor. He left Rome entering the Pax Romana.
Here are 3 videos about Julius Caeasar. They're in 3 parts. Pretty in depth.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JO565zLOQSc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVkAEDyMl9U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z88_UTf23nc
Links:
www.vroma.org/~bmcmanus/caesar.html
The Army
Hopelite
Beginnings: (Before and during the Punic Wars)
All men must serve in the army if they owned land. They must serve for 10 years. They were organized into Legions which were large military units. Many types of warriors (foot, cavalry) were in these. From there, they were organized into smaller groups called Centuries. These men rarely received remuneration :( This worked fine, until citizens were tired, Rome grew larger, and Rome wanted more land!
Post Punic Wars--the real army!
Being in the army is a profession! yay! Actually, anybody in the army receives more than most other professions. Unless, of course, if you were wealthy. Even then, it was prestigious to be in the army. It would strengthen your power, so when you're done you have influence and respect. You're not some lazy, rich jerk!
This army was intense. These men were disciplined, badly! Any mishap or slip up was punished. For example, if a solider was lazy or cowardly, 10, yes 10, soldiers were killed! Additionally, all the equipment was the best around just as the training. To top it off, the "troops" were extremely organized. They knew what they were doing! I wouldn't want to get caught in a fight with the army!
Once a man was done in the army, he didn't need to worry. He had lots of training learning how to build roads, towns, aqueducts, and much more. There was always a job out there. Often times, a retired solider would receive land, too.
Summary: The Roman army was well-paid, respected, disciplined, high-tech, organized, and offered great retirement opportunities!
Links:
http://members.tripod.com/~s_van_dorst/legio.html
http://www.roman-empire.net/army/army.html
Videos:
Equipment and changes throughout the years: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8Cg6TbXY2Q
Good video! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhnWyRvC1dU
All men must serve in the army if they owned land. They must serve for 10 years. They were organized into Legions which were large military units. Many types of warriors (foot, cavalry) were in these. From there, they were organized into smaller groups called Centuries. These men rarely received remuneration :( This worked fine, until citizens were tired, Rome grew larger, and Rome wanted more land!
Post Punic Wars--the real army!
Being in the army is a profession! yay! Actually, anybody in the army receives more than most other professions. Unless, of course, if you were wealthy. Even then, it was prestigious to be in the army. It would strengthen your power, so when you're done you have influence and respect. You're not some lazy, rich jerk!
This army was intense. These men were disciplined, badly! Any mishap or slip up was punished. For example, if a solider was lazy or cowardly, 10, yes 10, soldiers were killed! Additionally, all the equipment was the best around just as the training. To top it off, the "troops" were extremely organized. They knew what they were doing! I wouldn't want to get caught in a fight with the army!
Once a man was done in the army, he didn't need to worry. He had lots of training learning how to build roads, towns, aqueducts, and much more. There was always a job out there. Often times, a retired solider would receive land, too.
Summary: The Roman army was well-paid, respected, disciplined, high-tech, organized, and offered great retirement opportunities!
Links:
http://members.tripod.com/~s_van_dorst/legio.html
http://www.roman-empire.net/army/army.html
Videos:
Equipment and changes throughout the years: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8Cg6TbXY2Q
Good video! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhnWyRvC1dU
Review
Why was there such a tension between Carthage and Rome?
Can you explain all three Punic Wars?
Who was Hannibal? How did he affect Rome? How did Skippio save Rome?
What was the purpose of the 3rd Punic War?
How did the Punic Wars change Rome?
How did Julius Caesar initally come to power?
What was the triumvirate? What people were part of them?
Why did people like Caesar? What good things did he do for Rome?
How did Caesar die?
Who was Octavian? Why was he important? How did he gain complete control of Rome? Why was he a good leader?
What was the army like before and during the Punic Wars? Why did the army change?
Why was the Roman army so good?
What did soldiers gain from being in the army?
Can you explain all three Punic Wars?
Who was Hannibal? How did he affect Rome? How did Skippio save Rome?
What was the purpose of the 3rd Punic War?
How did the Punic Wars change Rome?
How did Julius Caesar initally come to power?
What was the triumvirate? What people were part of them?
Why did people like Caesar? What good things did he do for Rome?
How did Caesar die?
Who was Octavian? Why was he important? How did he gain complete control of Rome? Why was he a good leader?
What was the army like before and during the Punic Wars? Why did the army change?
Why was the Roman army so good?
What did soldiers gain from being in the army?
