Tribunes held right to vetoPatricians still dominated politicsGained right to elect one of two consuls – like Athens, slowly expand rights
Class conflicts continued
Rome faced challenges from neighboring townsConsolidated power by taking control of ItalyFounded a large regional state (used to be a city state) – established military colonies, friendly policies
Played major role in affairs around MediterraneanConflicts with other Mediterranean powers
Carthage dominant in Northern Africa, except Egypt (originally a Phoenician colony)
Sicily was heart of grain supply in Medit.Romans conquer Carthage and burn most of it to the ground, enslave 50,000 survivorsLater conflict with declining Hellenistic Empires, pirates try to destabilize
Imperial expansion brought wealth problems and benefitsUneven distribution of wealthRepublic slowly dissolves and imperial government instituted
Conquered lands fell into hands of wealthy elitesBenefited from slave labor
Between 2nd and 1st centuriesLike Wang Mang in China- wanted to redistribute landOver limit would lead to land reallocation to small farmersLoyalty to generals due to paycheck
Reign of terror lasts five years10,000 individuals murderedProgram did not succeed in long term
Rises to popularityPublic spectacles, victories in Gaul
Centralizes military Large scale building programsGrants citizenship to ruled territories
Ensuing 2 centuries
Grain from Africa, Egypt and Sicily find way to large cities