answersLogoWhite

0

The Roman Republic gained control of central Italy and the mountains of the south during the Latin War (340-338 BC) and the Second and Third Samnite Wars (326-304 BC and 298-290 BC). It gained control of the rest of the south (Apulia, the heel of Italy, and Calabria, the toe of Italy) when he won the Pyrrhic War (280-275 BC) against Pyrrhus, a Geek king who tried to invade southern Italy. Therefore, Rome gained control of the whole of central and southern Italy within 65 years.

Rome did not actually conquer these areas. It made alliances with the peoples who lived thre, whereby they retained autonomy in exchange for protection and for the peoples concerned supplying soldiers for the Romans at their expenses. These soldiers formed auxiliary units which supported the Roman legions. The system worked because Rome supported the local ruling elites and because she shared the spoils of war with her allies. This booty could be very large and was as an incentive to fight with the Romans. Rome also seized some territories and established Latin and Roman colonies (settlements) at strategic points to consolidate her control.

The Romans conquered northern Italy (Gallia Cisalpina) in 222 BC following an invasion of Tuscany by the Gauls who lived in northern Italy in 225 BC. During the Second Punic War (218-202 BC), the Gauls rebelled and allied with Hannibal, the Carthaginian general who invaded Italy. The Romans suppressed their rebellion by the time Hannibal's campaign in Italy was neutralised in 206 BC.

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

What else can I help you with?