Overview
Book III follows Rome from the completion of its dominance in Italy into the explosive period of overseas expansion that brings it into conflict with Carthage and the Greek states. The Punic Wars are the obvious center, but Mommsen uses them to explore the economic and political transformation…
This title is catalogued in Classics & Literature. Its reading profile is Medium and Moderate, with themes including history, politics, literature, business.
One-Page Summary
Book III follows Rome from the completion of its dominance in Italy into the explosive period of overseas expansion that brings it into conflict with Carthage and the Greek states. The Punic Wars are the obvious center, but Mommsen uses them to explore the economic and political transformation produced by empire. Once Rome becomes a Mediterranean power, conquest changes Roman society itself. Wealth, slaves, provinces, military commands, and the opportunities for political advancement create pressures that older republican institutions struggle to absorb. The wars against Hannibal and Carthage therefore matter not only because of their military drama but because they reveal what Rome becomes when victory makes it responsible for an enormous territory.
Greek politics introduces another dimension. Rome increasingly intervenes in regions whose political traditions are different from its own. Mommsen’s larger theme is expansion and consequence: the Republic becomes extraordinarily powerful at the same time that the conditions supporting its earlier political balance begin to weaken.
Key Themes
History: This title is tagged with history as one of its main themes.
Politics: This title is tagged with politics as one of its main themes.
Literature: This title is tagged with literature as one of its main themes.
Business: This title is tagged with business as one of its main themes.