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The Nobilitas and the Punic Wars - Coggle Diagram
The Nobilitas and the Punic Wars
War was very commonplace
Culturally embedded
Anarchic world
Lots of threats like Gauls
Very complex region
Fighting for security
Every culture, not just Romans had a hypermasculine and warlike culture
Pyrgi Tablets
400 BC, Carthage was the dominant power in the Mediterranean
300s BC, Carthage and Rome had a treaty
Dedication to the establishment of a shrine of the Goddess Astarte/ Uni
Three tablets, but two of them recorded the same message.
Both tablets record the name Valianas
One tablet was in the Punic language, and the other two was in Etruscan
Punic tablet does not have any Carthaginian names. maybe because the contributor had an etruscan partner, or that because of a large Punic presence in the city, it was just a translated copy of the etruscan tablet
Evidence of strong Carthaginian presence
Carthaginians and Etruscans had the same gods but had different names
Religion is a way people of different cultures can communicate and understand each other
Etruscan tablet was longer
Zilath- king or tyrant. Velianas was serving a three year term
Claim to rule is that the goddess loves him. Not institutional
Velianas was the local ruler of the city of Caere, the location of the shrines
You can ony prove your greatness through fighting and winning wars, otherwise nobody will follow you
Camilllus saved Rome from Brennus
Aside from winning wars, he doesn't really do anything else, but is still seen as great
Francois Tomb (Etruscan, 350-300 BC) in vulci depicts people killing each other
one man depicted killing someone is named Marcus Camillus, the hero of Rome, but here he is an Etruscan hero
Depicts Romans taking Etruscans as prisoners, while other Etruscans are seen freeing the prisoners and cutting bonds
Constructing myths and heroes in a warlike and gendered way
Shows what it takes to be a good and respected man.
Naked
muscular
bearded
Bad guys named from other cities, mostly neighbouring cities
He was equivalent to Heracles/ Hercules
Samnite Tomb (ca. 300)painting
Depicts muscular warriors with army uniforms. Shows a belonging to a military institution
Greek tomb from 400 BC depicts a luxirious dinner party with wine and music. Very different from the tombs depicting war and fighting that appeared 150 years later
Roman tombs. Arieti tomb
Depicts a lictor holding a fasces
Fasces is an object that symbolises imperium. Only Praetors and Consuls can hold them and gives them the right to lead an army an behead others
Depicts what he did in his public life, not private. Was in a position of power and wanted to show it
Tomb of Q. Fabius
Depicts Quintus Fabius accepting surrender from a combined Etruscan and Samnite force after a great battle
Wants you to know how great he was at leading armies and winning wars
Sarcophagus of Lucius Scipio
Inscription tells that he was a successful politician (Consul, praetor), army commander (took Corsica), and dedicated his victories by creating a temple.
By the 280s, Rome has conquered most of central Italy
Dispute with the Spartan colony of Tarentum
City officials insulted the Roman ambassador and war is declared
Tarentum calls for aid from Pyhrrus of Epirus
Pyrrhic War (280-275BC)
Pyhrrus wins many battles against Rome, but lose a lot of men as well
Rome eventually wins, and is able to conquer the toe of Italy, basically on the doorstep of Sicily, where Carthage also has a presence
Rome and Carthage form a treaty to fight againt Pyhrrus.
Ancient wars often start from little states calling for aid from larger states
Another treaty between Rome and Carthage that sets out boundaries between the two powers
Romans and Carthaginians cannot go to certain areas and must leave after a certain number of days if they do
Carthage understands that they do not control all of Sicily, only a few provinces. If Rome invades parts of Sicily not controlled by Carthage, they may be in the Carthaginian sphere of influence
Carthage cannot lay any claim to any city or fortress in Latium
264 BC, the city of Messana held control of the straits of Sicily. Very profitable
Mercenaries from Syracuse who have finished their time was moving back to Italy through Messana
Mercenaries killed the men in the city and essentially took over
The king of Syracuse, Hiero moves up north to fight against the Mamertines and take back Messana.
Mamertines appeal to both the Romans and Carthaginians
Both Romans And Carthaginians want that area of Sicily, however Rome is conflicted as they have a strong policy against rogue mercenaries.
Rome decides to invade, Syracuse joins Rome to push back Carthage
However, both Rome and Syracuse did not have a navy that could match Carthage's navy
Rome creates a new navy including a new ship called Corvus, that allows the Romans to board enemy ships and fight close quarters
However, the ships were unreliable and kept sinking
Romans were unable to knock out Carthage either is Africa, the sea or in Sicily
Carthage still held the city of Lilybaeum in Sicily
The battle of Aegates Islands, a naval battle ends with Roman victory and peace
Roman senators had to pay out of pocket for one final fleet
Elogium of Duilius. describes the naval victory over Carthage at the battle of Mylae
On the prows were also the names of the Quaestors who approved the design of the prows.
Even the junior officers who are just checking the quality want to be remembered for helping in the war
The First Punic war lasted 24 years and was the largest of its time
Shows the dedication and cohesion of all that fought, as they believe it was necessary
emphasises the culture of war in ancient times
Sources of the war was still entwined with myth
Mercenaries were known as the Mamertines