Republic to empire
What was one major reason Rome needed a large, permanent army as its territory grew?
Rome needed to defend its growing territory and conquered lands.
What geographic region did Rome completely conquer during its first period of expansion?
The Italian peninsula.
Which powerful North African city-state was Rome's major enemy during the Punic Wars?
Carthage.
Which Roman general crossed the Rubicon River with his army?
Julius Caesar
Name one benefit Rome gained from expansion.
Possible answers: wealth, territory, slaves, resources, trade, or greater military power.
Rome began its first period of expansion shortly after which major political change?
The overthrow of the last Etruscan king and the beginning of the Roman Republic.
After Rome conquered new territories, what happened to many prisoners of war?
They were brought to Roman lands and enslaved.
Why was the First Punic War fought mostly at sea?
Carthage had a powerful navy, and the conflict involved control of the western Mediterranean.
Why was Caesar's crossing of the Rubicon such an important event?
He disobeyed the Senate and brought his army into Italy, beginning a civil war for control of Rome.
Name one cost of Roman expansion.
Possible answers: deaths in war, destruction of farms, slavery, inequality, unemployment, taxes, or political conflict.
Why did some Roman allies become unhappy with Rome?
They had to pay Roman taxes and provide soldiers but did not always receive the rights of citizenship.
Why did Rome's victories sometimes create problems for ordinary Roman farmers?
Long wars took farmers away from their farms, while wealthy landowners expanded large estates.
What made Hannibal's invasion of Italy especially surprising?
He led his army from Spain across the Alps, including soldiers and elephants.
Name one reform or improvement Caesar introduced while he was dictator.
Possible answers: roads, public buildings, jobs, gladiator contests, or the new calendar.
How did slavery contribute to unemployment in Rome?
Enslaved people performed much of the work on farms and in cities, leaving some Roman farmers and laborers without jobs.
How did Rome's expansion contribute to problems within the Republic?
Expansion brought wealth and slaves but also increased inequality, unemployment, military power, and political conflict.
Imagine you are a poor Roman farmer returning from a long military campaign. Wealthy landowners now control large farms and use enslaved workers. Why might it be difficult for you to keep your farm?
The wealthy landowners could produce goods more cheaply, making it difficult for small farmers to compete.
Rome and Carthage fought three major wars. What was the ultimate result?
Rome destroyed Carthage and became the greatest power in the Mediterranean.
After Caesar's death, who eventually became the sole ruler of Rome and Rome's first emperor?
Octavian, who became Augustus.
Why did many small farms disappear as Rome expanded?
Wealthy landowners created large estates and used enslaved labor, making it difficult for small farmers to compete.
Put these developments in the correct order:
A. Caesar becomes dictator for life
B. Rome conquers the Italian peninsula
C. Augustus becomes Rome's first emperor
D. Rome fights the Punic Wars
B → D → A → C
Rome's expansion made it more powerful but also weakened parts of the Republic. Explain how something could be both a benefit AND a cost.
Conquest brought Rome wealth, territory, resources, and power, but it also caused deaths, inequality, slavery, unemployment, political conflict, and civil wars.
How did the Punic Wars affect Roman society even after Rome won?
The wars brought wealth and slaves to Rome but also caused deaths, damaged farms, increased inequality, and contributed to the decline of small farmers.
Augustus claimed that he was restoring the authority of the Senate. What was actually happening?
Augustus remained in complete control, even though Rome still appeared to have its republican government.
What were TWO events or developments that helped lead to the end of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire?