The fifth installment of the Ancient Military History series, this class will examine the rise of the Roman Republic. We'll evaluate its foundation myths, outline its system of government, and follow a chain of conflicts that consolidated the Italian peninsula and later the Mediterranean world under Roman law.

Syllabus:
Week 1: Rise of the Republic -- Foundation myths, seven kings, and overthrowing the monarchy
Week 2: Early Expansion in Italy -- Gallic invasion, Latin conquest and Samnite Wars
Week 3: Threats From Abroad -- Pyrrhic victories and Greek islands
Week 4: First Punic War -- Building a navy
Week 5: Second Punic War -- Treaties never last. Hannibal, Fabius and Scipio
Week 6: Mediterranean Supremacy -- Macedonian Wars, The Third Punic War

First we'll discuss the origins of Rome, which are unfortunately shrouded in myth. We'll go on to discuss how a small, non-unique city came to dominate its region, and then the Italian Peninsula. By the middle of the course, students will be learning about the geopolitical forces that shaped a fledgling nation-state into the first super power in the west. The conclusion of the course sets the stage for the social changes that inexorably led to the republic's transition to empire.