The Punic Wars are over, but Rome now faces a crisis due to internal strife in the aftermath of the wars. Certain people are calling for reforms while others remain adamantly opposed to any type of reform or change. Which will you be? Will you oppose reform or propose reform?
Use the following sources to gather information and to complete this assignment. Links to the readings can be found in the Rome Lessons Module. You may also use the Lessons Modules, the textbook, and any links related to Rome.
Rome at the End of the Punic Wars, Polybius
Tiberius Gracchus, Plutarch
The Civil Wars (On the Gracchi), Apian
Choose a role from the characters listed below. DO NOT SWITCH ROLES! CHOOSE ONE CHARACTER AND STAY WITH THAT CHARACTER THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE DISCUSSION. You will write a two-three paragraph in character individual statement.
Tiberius Gracchus
An owner of a latifunida
A Roman Senator
A territorial governor
An unemployed farmer living in the city of Rome
A non-Roman citizen living in the conquered territories
Answer and address each of the following questions in your individual statements and student responses. Make sure that you give specific examples from the readings and that you use a lot of historical facts and details to answer the questions.
1. What policies did Rome enact after the Punic Wars to govern their new territories? How did these policies affect the people living in the conquered territories?
2. Discuss the problems in the Roman Empire after the Punic Wars.
3. What problems did Rome encounter governing and managing the new territories acquired after the Punic Wars?
4. How did the aftermath of the Punic Wars affect the city of Rome itself?
5. Why are people calling for reform? Does your character support reform? Why or why not?
6. What is your character’s stand on the issues? What reasons does your character give in support of his opinion?