The document provides background information on Rome and its rise to power. It discusses Rome's strategic geographic location near the Mediterranean Sea with access to good farmland and protection from sea attacks. It describes the various peoples who inhabited Italy, including the Latin tribes and Etruscans who influenced early Rome. Key Roman virtues like patriotism and sacrifice for the state are outlined. The founding of Rome by Romulus and Remus is recounted. The document then covers Rome's establishment of a republic after overthrowing Etruscan kings, its expansion through military conquest across Italy, and the three Punic Wars against Carthage culminating in Rome's victory. Hannibal's invasion of Italy during the Second Punic War and

1. Rome

2. The Impact of Geography
 Center of Mediterranean
Sea.
 Apennine Mountains easy
to cross.

 Good farmland both sides.

3. The Impact of Geography
 29 KM inland, safe
from sea people and
pirates, yet has sea
access.

4. The Peoples of Italy
 Around 1500 BCE, the
Latin tribes, including
the Romans (a Indo-
European people)
moved into Italy.

5. The Peoples of Italy
 By 800 BCE, the Etruscans conquered northern Italy.
 By 700 BCE, the Greeks established polis in southern Italy.
 Both influenced Rome.

6. Greek influence
 Greek artistic and cultural knowledge like writing,
sculpture, architecture, gods, and literature.

7. Etruscan influence
 Etruscan fashions—the toga and short skirts, and
fighting tech.

8. Roman virtues
 Gravities: seriousness and
dedication to family and state.
 Extremely patriarchic “paterfamilias”
 Self sacrifice for the good of the state.
 Simple and plain lifestyle.
 Practical knowledge more important then theoretical.
 Strength and honor in war.

9. Legendary founding
Romulus and Remus ( twin sons of
Mars decedents of Aeneas of Troy)
raised by a she wolf along the Tiber
river.

10. Romulus and Remus
 753 BCE, as Romulus
drew the boundaries of
the city, Remus
jumped over them.
 So, Romulus killed
him and named the
city after himself.

11. 509 BCE Romans Revolt
Ruben’s Rape of Lucritia by King Tarquin
The Romans overthrew the
Etruscan king and established
a republic.

12. Rome’s Legions War and Conquest
 For the next nine hundred years, Roman legionaries
engaged in almost continuous warfare.

13.  By 338 B.C., Rome
conquered central
Italy.

14.  By 264 BCE, they had
defeated the Greeks.

15.  By 260 BCE, they finished
off the remaining Etruscan
states of Northern Italy.

16. Roman Confederation
 Rome allowed other Latins to have full Roman
citizenship.
 They could vote in Rome and were protected by
Roman Law.
 They could run their own local government, but had to
provide soldiers and follow Roman foreign affairs.

17. Roman Confederation
 The Romans made many improvements to Italy.
 The legions kept peace.

18. They built roads
for business and
the army.

19. Here’s how they built them:

20. Roman Confederation
 They built aqueducts, baths, forums, and stadiums.

22. Forums political and shopping
centers

23. Roman social classes
 Four social groups—
 The patricians the great landowners, dominated
politics and the army.
 The plebeians small business and landholders,
could vote and be in the army.
 Proletariat poor , could not vote, or be in the army.
 Slaves no rights.

24.  Women were citizens, without strong political rights,
 They had legal rights and owned their own business and
property.
 Not confined to homes like Greeks.

25. The Roman Republic
 They distrusted both kingship and direct democracy.

26. The Roman Republic Checks and
Balances
 No one part of the government could
hold absolute power.
3 parts
 the executive
 the legislative
 and the judicial

27. Executive
Two consuls
elected annually
on March 1st by
the Legions.
 Supervised the
government.
 VETO (I forbid)
 Command the armies
 At end of year became a
member of Senate.

28. Executive
 Censors taxes and count the population
 Quasetors Public finances


29. Legislative Senate
 300 patricians served for life. Laws, war, peace,
diplomacy and the treasury.

30. Class struggle
 Patricians against plebeians for hundreds of years.
 In 471 BCE, Romans created the Popular Assembly
(plebeians).

31. Legislative
Popular assembly
 Could make laws and elected 2
Tribunes.
 Tribunes could VETO any action
of a consul or senate.

32.  Praetors judges elected for life by Popular
Assembly
 Approved by the Senate
 Roman Laws written down
Judicial

33. Roman Law
 created Law of Nations
 principles still used today
 A person is innocent until proved guilty.
 People accused are allowed to defend themselves
before a judge.
 A judge is expected to weigh evidence carefully before
making a decision

34. Roman Law
 Codified laws: they wrote down the judges’ rulings,
laws, and organized them in books.
 Law should be flexible and evolve with society.

 Schools of law opened, producing lawyers.

35. Dictator
 Absolute power over everything.

37. Home work
 Pg 154 1-6

38. 3 Punic Wars 264-146 BCE
 Rome’s conquest brought
them in contact with the
State of Carthage.

39. 3 Punic Wars 264-146 BCE
 Since 800 BCE, the Phoenician Carthage had a titanic
trading empire.
 It was the largest and richest state in the area.

40. 3 Punic Wars 264-146 BCE
 The First Punic War
began when Rome
sends an army into
Sicily.
 Carthage declares war.

41.  The Romans—a land power— created a large navy.

42. Cape Ecnomus
256 BC
.
Stakes
+ A Roman victory would permit an invasion
of North Africa, threatening Carthage itself.
+ A Carthaginian victory would re-establish
its dominance of the Mediterranean Sea,
threatening Roman holdings in Corsica,
Sardinia and Sicily.
By Jonathan Webb, 2012 ©

43. Cape Ecnomus, 256 BC
Strength
Romans
Well
Carthaginians
Well
Marcus Atilius Regulus
230 quinqueremes
Hamilcar
200 quinqueremes
By Jonathan Webb, 2012 ©
Lucius Manlius Vulso Longus

45. Romans
(Regulus/Manlius)
Carthaginians
(Hamilcar)
NN
Corvus
The Romans deploy in four squadrons in a compact mass with a leading wedge formation. Two squadrons comprise the leading wedge, Regulus commanding the left, Manlius
the right. A third squadron tows the transports just behind the wedge, followed by the veteran triarii squadron further to the rear. The Roman consuls plan to smash through any
enemy fleet and push on to North Africa. Hamilcar deploys his fleet in three groups; he commands the center while pushing two columns to his left and right out beyond the
Roman line. Hamilcar places the right wing under Hanno and gives him the fastest, most agile ships. Hamilcar plans to lure the Roman fleet in to engage the Carthaginian center
while the wings envelop and destroy the tight Roman mass.
Upon sighting the Carthaginian fleet, the Roman consuls do exactly as Hamilcar wants: hastily surge ahead to engage. Hamilcar turns the ships
at his center around to lead the Roman into the trap as his wings sail past the Roman leading wedge formation. However, the Roman squadron
towing the transports is not able to keep up with the Roman consuls’ squadrons, also slowing the triarii squadron down behind it; the result is a
significant gap between the leading and rear squadrons. The Roman rear squadrons veer right and left to try and form a line of battle.
Hamilcar
Manlius
Regulus
Hanno
Manlius
Hanno
Hamilcar orders the Carthaginian center to turn and engage the pursuing Roman squadrons as the Carthaginian wings bear down on their
intended targets, albeit further to the rear than anticipated. The third Roman squadron releases the transports in tow and maneuvers to hit the
Carthaginian left wing’s left flank. The transports head back to base although some get tied up with the triarii squadron; this disorders part of the
triarii squadron while the other part engages the Carthaginian right wing at a disadvantage..
The Carthaginian center is performing poorly against the Roman corvus, an ingenious boarding device, but is so far holding its position.
Meanwhile, the Roman right wing skilfully backs itself against the shore line, protecting its flanks and rear from the more agile Carthaginian ships
and deterring them with a frontage of corvi; this creates a stalemate on this sector. The Roman triarii squadron on the left finally disentangles
itself from the transports but is being outmanoeuvred and taking losses to the strong Carthaginian right wing under Hanno.
The Carthaginian center breaks and flees against Roman grappling and boarding tactics. Manlius’ squadron secures the many
captured ships while Regulus turns around to hit the Carthaginian right wing in rear and save the hard-pressed triarii squadron.
Meanwhile, the battle near the shore remains a stalemate with the Carthaginian ships unwilling to fully engage the Roman corvi.
Regulus
Hit in rear by Regulus, the Carthaginian right wing under Hanno breaks and flees. Regulus then leads his
squadron to hit the Carthaginian left wing in rear. Having secured the prizes, Manlius joins Regulus in surrounding
the Carthaginian left wing, which subsequently surrenders.
Manlius
Regulus
Romans
(Marcus Atilius Regulus/ Lucius
Manlius Vulso Longus)
230 quinqueremes
Carthaginians
(Hamilcar)
200 quinqueremes
The Romans were aware of their naval inferiority and
inexperience even before the First Punic War 264-241 BC, and
thus introduced a boarding device to make their grappling
tactics more effective. The corvus is comprised of a 1.2 by
10.9m wooden bridge with a metal spike at the end’s underside.
A pulley system drops the spike on the enemy’s deck, clasping
the two ships together, allowing Roman legionnaires to rush
across. The corvus thus converts Roman proficiency on land to
the sea battle.

46. Cape Ecnomus, 256 BC
Casualties & Aftermath
Romans: Carthaginians:
24
or
10%
94
or
47%
By Jonathan Webb, 2012 ©
The Roman victory allowed their invasion of North Africa to take place unthreatened. In 255 BC,
Regulus defeated a Carthaginian army at the Battle of Adys but severe peace terms forced Carthage to
continue the war. That same year, Spartan mercenary Xanthippus arrived in Carthage and led its army to
victory over Regulus at the Battle of Tunes, forcing a Roman withdrawal from the continent. A storm
then destroyed most of the Roman fleet and remaining army before it arrived in Sicily, allowing Carthage
to recover. The war continued until 241 BC when the Romans decisively won the naval Battle of the
Aegates Islands, and the war.

47.  By 241 BCE, the Roman fleet defeated the Carthaginian navy.
 Rome gets Sicily.

48. 2nd Punic War 218-201 BCE
 Carthage vowed revenge.
 Carthage decides to
would bring the war to
Rome.

49. 2nd Punic War 218-201 BCE
 Hannibal, one of the most brilliant generals of all times,
and his army cross into Spain and moves east.

50. 2nd Punic War 218-201 BCE
 He crosses the Alp mountains with an army of 46,000
men, cavalry, and 37 War elephants.

51. 2nd Punic War 218-201 BCE
 He arrived on the other
side of the Alps with
about 25,000 troops
and only 2 or 3
elephants.

52. 2nd Punic War 218-201 BCE
 The Romans send 7 legions (40,000) to crush Hannibal.

53. 2nd Punic War 218-201 BCE
 In 218 BCE, the Romans send 7 legions (40,000) to
crush Hannibal.

54. Battle of Trebia
December 218 BC
Strategic Context
Hannibal Barca negates Roman control of the seas by leading the Carthaginians through Spain to
attack Roman territory. Hannibal defeats a Roman army under Scipio Africanus at the Ticinus
River while another under Tiberius Sempronius departs Sicily to combine forces. Since the link is
established, the two armies camp on opposite sides of the Trebia River. Hannibal sends his
cavalry to provoke the brave but impulsive Sempronius and succeeds; the Romans wade across
the frigid Trebia River to meet the Carthaginians in battle who meanwhile warm by the fire and
await their adversaries
Stakes
+ A Carthaginian victory would shake Roman
confidence and summon disgruntled Roman
allies to the Carthaginian cause.
+ A Roman victory would deny the
Carthaginians a secure base in Italy.
By Jonathan Webb, 2009 ©
No Image
Available

55. The Trebia, 218 BC
Strength
Carthaginians
Well
Romans
Severely cold
4,000 cavalry
36,000 infantry
Tiberius Sempronius Longus
10,000 cavalry
20,000 infantry
Hannibal
By Jonathan Webb, 2009 ©
2 war elephants

57. Romans
(Sempronius)
Carthaginians
(Hannibal)
NN
Sempronius deploys his veteran legionnaire infantry in the center, flanked by his Gallic allied infantry and then his cavalry. Hannibal
deploys his infantry in a thin line in the center, flanked by his elephants and then his cavalry. He detaches a cavalry force under Mago
to remain unseen in a ravine near the Roman left and to only reveal his position at the most opportune time.
Sempronius sends his infantry forward in typical Roman fashion: steady and in good order. They dismiss the Carthaginian
elephants but are unable to decisively push the outnumbered Carthaginian infantry backwards. Meanwhile, Hannibal
counterattacks the Roman cavalry with his own and succeeds in bending back the Roman line by the flanks.
Hannibal transfers his elephants to his left and attacks; the Roman cavalry are defeated and now the Gallic allied infantry
guarding the Roman flanks come under attack. Mago emerges from hiding to sweep behind the Roman rear to complete
the encirclement. Meanwhile, the Roman infantry desperately batter the opposing Carthaginian infantry.
Hannibal becomes preoccupied with reducing the trapped Roman pocket by way of assaulting its flanks. Roman
infantry in the center are thus able to slice through the Carthaginian infantry line and escape along with
Sempronius himself. The remaining Roman units are annihilated fighting or drowned trying to escape.
Romans
(Tiberius Sempronius Longus)
36,000 infantry
4,000 cavalry
Carthaginians
(Hannibal Barca)
20,000 infantry
10,000 cavalry
2 war elephants
Mago
Hannibal

58. The Trebia, 218 BC
Casualties & Aftermath
Carthaginians: Romans:
5,000
or
16%
30,000
or
75%
By Jonathan Webb, 2009 ©
Both sides quietly retreated to winter quarters to rest, Sempronius
only telling the Roman Senate that he had entered battle but did
not achieve victory due to poor weather. By spring the next year,
Sempronius and Scipio were replaced as consuls; their successors
fared no better at the Battle of Lake Trasimene as Hannibal

59. 2nd Punic War 218-201 BCE
 Rome raises and sends another army of 13 legions to
stop him.
 Most of the Italians stayed loyal to Rome.

60. Lake Trasimene
June 24, 217 BC
Strategic Context
The 30,000 Carthaginians are faced with two Roman consular armies of 40,000 and 20,000
respectively, blocking their way to the capital. Hannibal Barca leads the Carthaginians across the
dangerous, snowy Appenine passes and then the exhausting Arnus marshes. He thus outflanks
both consular armies and prevents any link up between them. Gaius Flaminius, leader of the
larger army, immediately marches south to seek battle and obtain all the glory for defeating
Hannibal.
Stakes
+ A Carthaginian victory would allow
Hannibal to march south and establish a base
closer to the Roman capital.
+ A Roman victory would deny the
Carthaginians a secure base in Italy.
By Jonathan Webb, 2008 ©
No Image
Available

61. Lake Trasimene, 217 BC
Strength
Carthaginians
Well
Romans
Well
4,000 cavalry
36,000 infantry
Tiberius Sempronius Longus
8,000 cavalry
22,000 infantry
Hannibal
By Jonathan Webb, 2008 ©

63. Romans
(Flaminius)
Carthaginians
(Hannibal)
Flaminius deploys his force in column formation, heavy infantry acting as an advance guard and cavalry as the
rearguard. Hannibal deploys an infantry unit in plain view of anyone entering the ravine to serve as bait and his
remaining force uphill out of sight to serve as the ambush.
NN
Romans
(Gaius Flaminius)
36,000 infantry
4,000 cavalry
Carthaginians
(Hannibal Barca)
22,000 infantry
8,000 cavalry
Flaminius orders the long column forward in the hopes of surprising the Carthaginian camp. Hannibal meanwhile
waits for the Roman column to be completely astride the lake and for the daily morning mist to shroud the Roman
soldiers’ vision.
The Roman advance guard vaguely spots the Carthaginian camp at the eastern end of the ravine and charges forward. It is now that Hannibal
springs the trap; the main Carthaginian force charges downhill with a thunderous cry. The cavalry sweep around the Roman rear to cut off any
retreat and then the infantry smash the Roman flanks. The Roman soldiers are blind to the disaster unfolding around them and can barely form
ranks to even fight.
The Romans do not recover from the initial shock and panic and are slaughtered along with their commander,
Flaminius. Only the advance guard and some lucky infantry are able to scatter into the mountains.

64. Lake Trasimene, 217 BC
Casualties & Aftermath
Carthaginians: Romans:
1,500
or
5%
30,000
or
75%
By Jonathan Webb, 2008 ©
Hannibal was able to ambush and destroy an entire Roman army at little cost but could not exploit
the victory. Hannibal marched south in the hopes of being joined by cities and tribes he considered
to be vassals but was disappointed. The Roman Senate was shocked by the loss of another field
army and consequently appointed Quintus Fabius as Dictator. Fabius soon gained the nickname as
the “Delayer” for his avoidance of Hannibal and scorched earth tactics that gained Rome the time
to create yet another field army, 87,000 strong; it met Hannibal at the Battle of Cannae.

65. 2nd Punic War 218-201 BCE
 Rome refused to surrender and raised another army.

66. 216 BCE Battle of Cannae
 87,000 Romans and Allied troops met Hannibal with
less than 54,000 troops.

67. Battle of Cannae

68. Battle of Cannae

69. Battle of Cannae

70. Battle of Cannae Rome's worst defeat.

71. 2nd Punic War 218-201 BCE
 The Romans send 7 legions (40,000) to crush Hannibal.

72. In Italy
 Hannibal could not take of Rome because of its walls.
 He ravaged Italy for decades, but the Italians remained
loyal to Rome.

73. 2nd Punic War 218-201 BCE
 The Romans raised two armies.

74. 2nd Punic War 218-201 BCE
 The second army (Scipio) pushed the Carthaginians out
of Spain.

75. 2nd Punic War 218-201 BCE
 Next, Rome (Scipio) invaded Carthage

76. 2nd Punic War 218-201 BCE
 Carthage recalled Hannibal from Italy.

77. Zama
October 19, 202 BC
By Jonathan Webb, 2009 ©
Scipio Africanus Hannibal

78. Zama, 202 BC
Strength
Romans
Well
Carthaginians
Well
Scipio Africanus
29,000 infantry 36,000 infantry
Hannibal Barca
80 war elephants
4,000 cavalry6,500 cavalry
By Jonathan Webb, 2009 ©

80. Romans
(Scipio)
Carthaginians
(Hannibal)
Laelius Masinissa
Tychaeus
Hannibal
Hannibal deploys his infantry in three lines with his hardened veterans occupying the rear line and his mercenaries and levies occupying the front two lines. He deploys his war
elephants and skirmishers in front of the infantry and the cavalry on the wings. Scipio deploys his infantry in three lines as well: hastati in the front, then principes and finally
veteran triarii. Scipio leaves wide lanes between his formations but hides the gaps with skirmishers. He deploys his cavalry on the wings, Masinissa commanding the stronger
right wing. Hannibal knows Scipio’s cavalry is superior and gives orders to his cavalry to lure the Roman cavalry far away from the battlefield if defeated.
Hannibal charges with his war elephants and skirmishers which are confronted by Roman skirmishers. As the war elephants approach the
Roman lines, Scipio orders the cavalry to blow loud horns to frighten the beasts which partly succeeds; many elephants turn about and flee. The
Carthaginian left wing is stampeded by rampaging elephants, completely disordering it. Masinissa promptly charges the Carthaginian left wing
and drives it from the field.
Frightened elephants continue to rampage into the Carthaginian ranks, disordering the right wing cavalry. Laelius also
seizes the opportunity to charge the Carthaginian right wing and drive it from the field. Meanwhile, Roman skirmishers
harass the remaining war elephants and carefully lure them down the wide lanes in the infantry to be destroyed in the rear.
Scipio
Scipio redresses his ranks to form a continuous battle line and advances. Hannibal meets the Roman infantry with
only his first two lines of infantry.
Romans
(Scipio Africanus)
29,000 infantry
6,500 cavalry
Carthaginians
(Hannibal Barca)
36,000 infantry
4,000 cavalry
NN

81. NN
Scipio
Hannibal
Scipio redresses his ranks to form a continuous battle line and advances. Hannibal meets the Roman infantry with
only his first two lines of infantry.
The Roman hastati eventually defeat the Carthaginian front infantry line which must retreat. However, Hannibal orders is second line
infantry to not allow the first line into their ranks resulting in a few initial skirmishes between friendly troops. Trapped between their
own second line and the Roman hastati, the Carthaginian front line is slaughtered although some escape to settle on the wings.
The Carthaginian second line counterattacks aggressively, pushing the Roman hastati backwards until reinforced by the principes. A fierce
struggle ensues but the Carthaginian infantry are again defeated and forced to retreat. Hannibal does not allow these troops to mingle with his
rear line but most have the sense to redeploy on the wings. Hannibal’s cavalry appears to be carrying out its orders magnificently as there is no
sign of the Roman cavalry.
Romans
(Scipio)
Carthaginians
(Hannibal)
Romans
(Scipio Africanus)
29,000 infantry
6,500 cavalry
Carthaginians
(Hannibal Barca)
36,000 infantry
4,000 cavalry

82. NN
Scipio
Triarii TriariiPrincipesHastatiPrincipes
Scipio and Hannibal pause briefly to reorganize their formations. Scipio leisurely deploys the principes on the inner wings
and the triarii on the outer wings for a balanced line which slightly overlaps the Carthaginian line. Hannibal knows an
advance over the corpse-filled battlefield would be difficult and opts to wait for Scipio to attack his veteran infantry line.
Scipio orders an advance over the gory battlefield. A violent and costly infantry struggle infantry ensues. Neither
side appears to be gaining an advantage and the decision remains in great doubt to both commanders.
As the infantry battle reaches a climax, the Roman cavalry finally return to attack the Carthaginians in the rear. In
an instant, the Carthaginian infantry are annihilated where they stand or violently pursued from the battlefield.
Hannibal
Romans
(Scipio)
Carthaginians
(Hannibal)
Romans
(Scipio Africanus)
29,000 infantry
6,500 cavalry
Carthaginians
(Hannibal Barca)
36,000 infantry
4,000 cavalry

83. Zama, 202 BC
Casualties & Aftermath
Romans: Carthaginians:
5,000
or
14%
30,000
or
75%
By Jonathan Webb, 2009 ©
Hannibal escaped to convince the Carthaginian senate to sue for
peace. Carthage was forced to surrender its fleet, cede land to
Masinissa’s Numidia and pay severe reparations to Rome.
Hannibal was allowed to continue playing a role in Carthaginian
politics. In fact, he was so successful in Carthage’s recovery

84.  In 202 BCE, the Romans crushed Hannibal’s forces at
Zamma.

85. Zama
October 19, 202 BC

86.  The Macedonians Kingdom of Antigonus allied with
Carthage.

87. Pydna
June 22, 168 BC
Strategic Context
Following the death of Philip V of Macedon in 179 BC, Perseus of Macedon hopes to renew his father’s
ambition of conquering Greece. This leads to tensions and eventual war with Pergamum, which is expanding
quickly under the leadership of King Eumenes. Rome, more concerned with Macedonian power and its
alliances with anti-Roman factions in Thrace, sides with Pergamum, resulting in an indecisive war 171-170 BC.
Dissatisfied with this result, the Roman Senate appoints Lucius Aemilius Paullus as commander of the army to
properly subdue Macedon. In June 168 BC, Paullus advances, outflanking Macedonian mountain positions, and
forcing Perseus to retreat to Pydna. There the two armies encamp for days until a skirmish erupts into a full-
scale battle.
Stakes
+ A Macedonian victory would preserve its
existence and end Roman influence in Greece.
+ A Roman victory would effectively end
Macedonian independence and pacify Greece.
By Jonathan Webb, 2011 ©

88. Pydna, 168 BC
Strength
Macedonians
Well
Romans
Well
Perseus
20,000 legionnaires21,000 phalangites
Lucius Aemilius Paullus
19,000 other infantry
4,000 cavalry 2,000 cavalry
15,000 other infantry
By Jonathan Webb, 2011 ©
22 war elephants

90. Macedonians
(Perseus)
Romans
(Paullus)
NN
Paullus deploys alongside his experienced heavy infantry, the legionnaires, at the center. They are flanked by lighter infantry on each side, Greek allies on their left, Latin allies
on their right. Paullus places his few cavalry on each flank, and his war elephants on the right wing. Perseus deploys his compact infantry phalanx at the center. It is flanked by
lighter infantry on each side, mercenaries on its left, Thracians on its right. Perseus deploys an experimental anti-elephant unit opposite the Roman war elephants in the hopes of
neutralizing them; Perseus holds his cavalry back on each wing awaiting the result of this experiment, himself occupying a position on the right wing.
Perseus orders his infantry forward without committing his cavalry. The Thracians on the right surge ahead of the slow-moving phalanx to engage Paullus’
Greek allied infantry. The Macedonian phalanx advances gradually as a single mass, pinning down the Roman legionnaires and gaining an early advantage with
its long spears over their swords. The Pelignians, stationed with the Latin allied infantry, attempt a counter-attack – their commander resorting to tossing their
standard into the enemy ranks to incite them – but are repulsed with heavy loss and pushed back by the Macedonian mercenaries.
The Macedonian phalanx simply pushes the Roman legionnaires back, their long spears continuing to outrange the Roman sword. However, as
the Roman legionnaires fall back, the Macedonian phalanx becomes increasingly disordered as it advances over rough hilly terrain. The tight,
dense formation begins to show disruption and breaks in its cohesion; a gap between the phalanx and the left wing also widens as the Roman
war elephants prepare to enter the battle.
Paullus orders the legionnaires to break down into smaller units to infiltrate the disrupted phalanx though many of which are already doing so on their own
initiative. The Roman legionnaires exploit any and all gaps, forcing the Macedonian phalangites to drop their long spears and resort to their ineffective short
swords. The Roman attack is particularly effective on the phalanx’s exposed left flank. Paullus also orders a war elephant charge which routs the anti-elephant
corps and threatens the entire Macedonian left wing. With war elephants on the field, Perseus cannot commit his cavalry and influence the battle.
The Roman war elephants smash the Macedonian mercenaries, hitting their left flank and rear. Meanwhile, the Roman legionnaires
continue to slaughter the Macedonian phalangites as their formation disintegrates and routs; only a small unit of the phalanx
maintains its resolve and fights to the last. With the collapse of the phalanx, Perseus and the cavalry flee.
Macedonians
(Perseus)
21,000 phalangites
19,000 other infantry
4,000 cavalry
Romans
(Lucius Aemilius Paullus)
20,000 legionnaires
15,000 other infantry
2,000 cavalry
22 war elephants

91. Pydna, 168 BC
Casualties & Aftermath
Macedonians: Romans:
31,000
or
70%
1,000
or
3%
By Jonathan Webb, 2011 ©
The Romans captured Perseus shortly after the battle, ending the war. The Roman Senate decided to deal
with Macedon harshly to avoid any future troubles, occupying its territory and disarming is citizens. The
Romans imprisoned anyone believed to have been involved with Perseus indefinitely and even vilified
King Eumenes of Pergamum, whose territory became a Roman vassal as a result of the power shift in the
region. In 150 BC, Macedon again became a problem for Rome when Andriscus claimed to be heir to
Perseus and led a popular uprising; the uprising was crushed once again near Pydna in 148 BC.

92. Third Punic War 146BCE
 For 10 days, Roman legions burned and demolished all
of the city’s buildings.
 Population sold into slavery.
 North Africa becomes a Roman province.

93.  In 148 BCE, Rome made Macedonia into a province.

94.  The new conquests of Rome were wars of plunder.
 Provinces were stripped of wealth, the people often made
slaves, and leaders sent to Rome.