In this unit, students will learn about the rise of the Romans from the establishment of their Republic through the conclusion of the Roman Civil Wars. Topics include the Punic Wars, New Hellenism, the Gracchi, and the rise and fall of Julius Caesar.

Unit Guide and Primary Sources
"Veni.  Vidi.  Vici."
                                                                              -- Julius Caesar
In the middle of the third century B.C., Rome had conquered the Italian Peninsula. It took only two more centuries for the Romans to conquer the entire Mediterranean world.

Maps of Roman Expansion

I have assembled a collection of online maps to help students complete their unit map.

Carthage and the First Punic War

The First Punic War was the first of three wars fought between the Rome and Carthage between 264 and 146 BC. While the Romans conquered the Italian Peninsula, the Phoenician trading colony of Carthage began expanding in the Eastern Mediterranean. The two rising powers went to war when both developed an interest in Sicily.
For an in-depth look at Carthage and its empire, check out this episode of Engineering an Empire, which is available on YouTube.

Hannibal and the Second Punic War

Of the three Punic Wars, by far the most dramatic was the Second Punic War, often referred to by the Romans as "Hannibal's War" in honor of the primary antagonist.

Roman Hellenization and Urbanization

The Roman Civil Wars

After a solid run of nearly 500 years, the Roman Republic was ultimately torn apart by a series of civil wars, which ended with the proclamation of Augustus as emperor in 27 BC.

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