Beginnings of Empire
rd nd
Beginnings of an Empire in the Western Mediterranean (3 -2 century BCE)
The First Punic War resulted in Rome acquiring Sicily, Rome’s first non-mainland
territory took islands of Sardinia and Corsica from Carthage soon after
Shortly before Second Punic War Rome took control of Northern Italy, south of the alps,
from the Cisalpine Gauls
Over the course of the 2nd century B.C. – Cisapline Gaul gradually came under firm
Roman control
Rome also gained control over southern France, taking the land from the Transalpine
Gaul
During the Second Punic War, Rome conquered the Iberian tribes
149, in north Africa, during the Third Punic War, Rome underwent a prolonged siege
against Carthage that spanned over 2 years
In 146, Rome destroyed Carthage and razed it to the ground
rd nd
Roman Expansion in the East (Late 3 century – Early 2 century BCE)
Roman‐controlled Territory in Illyria (from 229 BCE)
o Between the first two Punic Wars, Rome began to expend eastward territory on
the edge of Illyria, which caught the attention of the Greeks
o In 216, Rome was distracted by Hannibal, giving King Phillip V of Macedon a
chance to interfere with Rome in Illyria
o In 215, Rome intercepted a ship carrying a signed treaty between Hannibal and
Philip V was could possible change everything
o Discovery of the ship sparked the First Macedonian War
First Macedonian War (215‐205 BCE)
o 215 BC Rome was spread too thin between Hannibal in Italy and Scipio in Spain
o To compensate for their lack of manpower, Rome made a treaty with Aetolian
League, a major enemy of Macedonia
o This was successful for several years until 207 BC, when Philip V launched an
invasion to Aetolia, forcing the Aetolians to surrender
o A full-scale war not possible for Rome, thus, a peace settlement between
Macedon and Rome was made
o Romans accomplished their primary goal in the First Macedonian war, to prevent
Macedon from giving aid to Carthage
o At this point, the Romans were well on way to victory in Second Punic War
Second Macedonian War (200‐196 BCE)
o In 201, Macedon came in
More
Less
