The Cost of Roman Expansion
A cost is something that is paid in order to get something. It can almost be something that must be given up in order to get what you want. The Roman Empire had to endure many different costs in order to expand and become as large as it became.
Directions: Read through each period of expansion. As you read, annotate the text. After annotating the text, answer all questions in complete sentences. For each period of expansion you should include at least 2-3 negative consequences or costs that the Roman empire had to deal with or pay in order to achieve success and explain why they are a cost. You should also include at least one quote from the text in your answer.
Excerpt from 34.3 – First Period of Expansion
As Rome's territory expanded, the city had to keep a large, permanent army to defend it and the conquered lands. As a result, more and more Romans were forced to serve in the army. Most of the soldiers were plebeians. Many plebeians resented this fact, leading to civil unrest.
Roman citizens were not the only ones who paid a cost for Rome's expansion. Rome allowed the people of some defeated cities to become Roman citizens. But other cities were not treated so well. Many received more limited privileges, such as the ability to trade with Rome. And Roman allies had to pay Roman taxes and supply soldiers for Roman armies.
By 264 B.C.E., Rome had more citizens and well-trained soldiers than any other power in the Mediterranean world. But very soon, the Romans would face their greatest challenge yet.
What costs, or negative consequences did the Roman Empire have to pay in order to achieve the First Expansion?
Excerpt from 34.4 – Second Period of Expansion
The Punic Wars expanded Roman power and territory, but Rome's victories came at a price. Countless young men had died in the long wars. In addition, people living outside Rome suffered huge losses in population and property. Hannibal's army had destroyed thousands of farms. Other farms had been neglected while farmers went off to fight in Rome's armies. By the time the soldiers returned home, Rome had been forced to import grain from Sicily and other places. Small farms were being replaced by large estates, where the wealthy planted vineyards and raised livestock. Unable to compete with the wealthy landowners, many poor farmers had to sell their land.
While riches and slaves flowed into Rome from the conquered lands, so did new customs. Many of the new ideas came from Greece. Wealthy Romans competed with one another to build Greek-style homes and beautiful temples.
What costs, or negative consequences did the Roman Empire have to pay in order to achieve the Second Expansion?
Excerpt from 34.5 – Third Period of Expansion
By 145 B.C.E., Roman conquests had brought great wealth to the city of Rome. But they had also put the ideals of the republic under great strain. By the end of Rome's third period of expansion, the republic collapsed.
The final years of the republic were marked by still more wars. Many of Rome's allies resented having to pay Roman taxes and fight in Roman armies without enjoying the rights of citizenship. In 91 B.C.E., some rebelled. To end the revolt, Rome agreed to let all free Italians become Roman citizens.
Rome also had to fight to put down slave revolts. As Romans conquered new territory, they brought hundreds of thousands of prisoners to Roman lands. They turned them into slaves who labored on farms and in the city. Although some slaves were respected, Romans often treated their slaves very harshly. A slave named Spartacus led a famous revolt in 73 B.C.E. After crushing his army and killing Spartacus in battle, the Romans put thousands of the surviving rebels to death on crosses.
There was trouble in the city, too. With so many slaves to do the work, thousands of farmers and laborers had no jobs. They crowded into Rome, becoming a mob that an ambitious leader could turn into an army.
Rome's army was producing many such leaders. Generals used their armies to gain fame and power in far-off lands and then to fight for influence in Rome. In one such civil war in the 80s B.C.E., 200,000 Romans were killed.
What costs, or negative consequences did the Roman Empire have to pay in order to achieve the Thrid Expansion?
Excerpt from 34.5 – Fourth Period of Expansion
But Rome's final expansion brought new problems. To reform Roman morals, Augustus harshly punished people for being unfaithful to their husbands or wives. To protect himself and his family, he established a private army, the Praetorian (pray-TOR-ee-uhn) Guard. Later, this same Guard sometimes took part in murder plots against the emperors it was supposed to protect.
Under Rome, the Mediterranean world was mostly at peace for 200 years. This period is called the Pax Romana, or Roman Peace. But keeping the peace cost the Romans a great deal. During Augustus's reign, one rebellion in the east took three years and 100,000 soldiers to put down.
Later emperors added to the territory controlled by Rome. From Britain to the Red Sea, a single power ruled over the greatest empire the world had ever known.
What costs, or negative consequences did the Roman Empire have to pay in order to achieve the Fourth Expansion?
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