Download furthermore, it is my opinion that Carthage must be

The New Imperialism
CHW 3M
Reaching Out
After defeating Carthage in the Punic Wars,
Roman Republic gradually took control over
the rest of the Mediterranean
• 149-146 BC: Third Punic War
• Carthage completely destroyed
• Province of Africa created
• 148 BC – Macedon crushed, province of
Macedonia created
• 146 BC – Corinth crushed, most Western
Greeks taken over
• 129 BC – Eastern Greeks absorbed by Rome –
become province of Asia
“...furthermore, it is my opinion that
Carthage must be destroyed.”
-Senator Cato, on any subject at all.
A blessing or a curse?
• Some saw this expansion as a huge blessing for Rome
• Others saw this as the beginning of the fall of the Roman Republic
Political Consequences
The Roman political system was not
equipped for governing such a large
state.
Corruption:
• Governors of Provinces were unpaid
and elections costly
• Meant that only rich
people could afford to take
this position
• However, often extorted
money from common
people through tax
collectors
• Were rarely persecuted –
Senate juries did not want
to condemn other upperclass members
• Increased tension among
conquered peoples
Economic Consequences
The gap between rich and poor
widens:
• During Punic Wars, many peasant
farmers called to serve in army
• When they returned, many lost
land:
• Many farms had been seized to
pay for outstanding debts
• Many couldn’t compete with
cheap tribute grain or new rich
ranchers –large-scale farming
• Rich get richer, thousands of
poor flood streets of Rome
Social Consequences
Rise of new social class – the
Equestrians (like an early middle
class)
• Group of people who could afford
cavalry service
• Lower than aristocracy, but higher
than common people
• Generally became the big business
people of Rome
• Challenges aristocracy - threatens
old Roman values
Cultural Consequences
Greek culture invades Rome:
• Many Equestrians and wealthier Romans
respected Greek culture
• Bought Greek literature, gave children Greek
education
• Roman play writers looks to Greeks for
inspiration
• As a result, Rome becomes more and more
Greek!
• Many feared the loss of Roman cultural
identity – with good reason
Problems
Political
•System leads to widespread
corruption
Economic
•Huge poverty problem
•Nobody wanted to join army (could lose land)
Social/Cultural
•New social classes and Greek culture threatened Roman traditions
and identity