Conquest of Italy I

Italy

• Not a political or ethnic entity
• Large numbers of divided language groups
  • Latins
  • Oscan-Umbrians
    • Along Apennines from east of Rome southwards
  • Greek colonies
    • In south
  • Etruscans
    • North of Rome
  • Gauls
    In far north

Latins

• To south of Rome
• Rome part of Latium
  • Long trad. of Rome vs. Latins
• Latin League
  • 30 Latin populi
    • populus=community centered around town with rural territory (like Rome)
  • Conubium, commercium
  • Loose confederation
  • Common religious rites
  • Leader chosen on ad hoc basis for emergencies
• Roman kings attempted to subjugate Latium?
• Foedus Cassianum, 493
  • Defensive pact b/w Rome & Latins

Umbrian Hills Tribes invade Latium

• Hill tribes' invasion of s. Latium starts 490s
• Causes cooperation of Latins and Rome
  • Roman expansion halted temporarily
• Umbrians halted by 430s

Etruscans

• Various conflicts in s. Etruria in 400s
• Etruscan city states unable to cooperate
  • Romans could always find Etruscan ally in wars with Etruscan towns
• War with Veii,406-396 (Varronian)
  • Capture/destruction of city first major extention of Roman territory
  • Roman territory more than doubled

Gauls

• Invaded Italy from cent. Europe
  • Settle in n. Italy
• Defeat Romans at Allia, capture Rome itself
  • 390 (Varronian), 386 (Grk. synchronism)
    • Fasti suggest date 4 yrs. earlier
  • Defeat shocking to Romans
    • Vae victis ("woe to the defeated!")
• Temporary setback
• No long-term consequences

Latin Revolt

• Roman pressure on Latium resumes soon after Gallic capture
• Latin commmunities revolt 341
• Revolt not v. enthusiastic, soon collapses
• Latin League dissolved 338
  • Romans assume religious rites of league
  • Closest Latin cities directly annexed
  • More distant cities retain Latin status
    • Retain internal autonomy
    • Military forces controlled by Rome
      • Roman list lays out numbers of forces to be provided
• Furthest cities (non Latin) given second-class Rom. citizenship
  • Duties of Roman citizens
    • Taxes
    • Military service
  • No voting rights
  • Not allowed to hold office in Rome
• Latin communities have conubium, commercium only with Rome