Punic Wars and Challenges in Rome - Day 2

The following excerpt is the description of the Roman constitution provided by the Greek historian Polybius in his book The Histories written between 167-119 BCE, a period of rapid Roman expansion. Polybius greatly admired the Romans, and the purpose of his work was to describe how Rome came to dominate the world.


The Roman constitution has three elements. Each of them possesses independent powers, and their share of power has been so well regulated that no one can say for sure whether the constitution is an aristocracy or democracy or despotism.

The Consuls (magistrates) lead the military and are the supreme masters of the government. They bring matters requiring debate before the Senate. They also call together the people’s Assemblies, and carry out whatever the majority of the Assemblies decide. They have absolute authority in running the military and fighting wars and can spend as much public money as they choose. Seeing these powers would justify our describing the constitution as a despotism.

The Senate proposes laws and has the control of the treasury. It also handles all crimes requiring an investigation. In addition, if it is necessary to send diplomats to a foreign country to make peace or to proclaim war, this too is the business of the Senate. As a result, many foreign kings imagine the constitution is a complete aristocracy because nearly all the business they had with Rome was settled by the Senate.

After all this, someone would naturally ask what part is left for the people in the constitution. There is, however, a part left to the people (the Assemblies), and it is a most important one. It is the people in the Assemblies who grant office to those that deserve it through the elections. The Assemblies also have the final say in passing or repealing laws, and most important of all it is that they make the final decision on the question of peace or war. These considerations again would lead one to say that the chief power in the state was the People's, and that the constitution was a democracy.

Multiple Choice

Who is Polybius?

• Historian from Ancient Greece

• Professor of Ancient History

• Historian and Professor

Multiple Choice

When was this written

• 2003 CE

• Between 167 - 119 BCE

• 1998 CE

Multiple Choice

What was the purpose of this document?

• Describe how Rome came to dominate the world

• Evaluate the level of democracy in the Roman Republic

• Describe the role of Roman people in the government during the final decades of the Roman Republic.

Multiple Select

According to Polybius, what are the “three elements” of the Roman constitution?

• Supreme Court

• People (assemblies)

• Senate

• Consuls

Poll

According to Polybius, how democratic was the Roman Republic?

• 1

  Not Democratic at all

• 2

  Slightly Democractic

• 3

  Somewhat Democratic

• 4

  Mostly Democratic

• 5

  Completely Democractic

Poll

Do you think Polybius is a credible source about how democratic the Roman Republic was?

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

When did the first Punic war take place?

• 149 - 146 BCE

• 218 - 202 BCE

• 264 - 241 BCE

Multiple Choice

At the end of the first Punic War which group had control of the island of Sicily?

• Rome

• Cathage

• Phoenicians

• Invaders

Multiple Choice

The name of the general from Carthage that tried to invade Rome is...

• Jacob

• Hannibal

• Legion

• Punic

Multiple Choice

How did Hannibal get into Italy and threaten Rome itself?

• He crossed the Alps

• He invaded Greece    

• He went by sea and landed in Italy

• He never made it to Italy

Multiple Choice

Which of the Punic Wars did Hannibal cross the Alps with elephants?

• First

• Second

• Third

• Fourth

Multiple Choice

Who won the Second Punic War?

• Rome

• Carthage

• Neither side won

Multiple Choice

What was the Roman sentiment towards Carthage during the 3rd Punic War?

• They wanted peace

• They wanted to destroy it

• They wanted to trade with it

• They wanted to ignore it

Multiple Select

What were the main problems in the Republic?

• Gap between rich and poor widens

• The poor & slaves revolt

• Spartacus led a rebellion of 70,000 slaves against Rome

• Wars against Carthage resulted in heavy taxation

Multiple Select

Which TWO statements are true about the attempts made by Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus to reform land distribution in Rome?

• Tiberius Gracchus attempted to redistribute land to the poor

• Gaius Gracchus was successful in his reforms

• Both brothers were killed by the Senate

• The Senate supported their reforms

Multiple Choice

What were the changes in the army during this period?

• Paid soldiers (mercenaries)

• Increased loyalty to the republic

• Decreased land for veterans

• Less professional fighting force

Multiple Choice

Who won the Third Punic War?

• Rome

• Carthage

• Neither side won

Multiple Choice

What did the Romans do to Carthage?

• Rome surrendered to Carthage and the wars ended.

• Rome allowed Carthage to exist and the wars kept occurring.

• Rome totally destroyed Carthage and the wars stopped.

Multiple Choice

Why are the Punic Wars important?

• Rome eventually becomes the strongest power in the area.

• Carthage eventually becomes the strongest power in the area.

• Rome loses the wars and much of Roman culture is lost.

Multiple Select

Which two classes in the graphic were considered "citizens" of the Roman Republic?

• Patricians

• Plebians

• Freedmen

• Slaves