*Chapter 6 (LO3) Notes*

The Overthrow of Rome

Over time, Rome grew larger than any other Empire before it. However, with great power came great responsibility. Rome eventually collapsed because it was too large to control itself. War and conquest also erupted through Italy, disrupting social order in Rome. The leaders and officials in the government were also making decisions based on their own personal interests. As a result, Rome began to break down. 

The Impact of War and Conquest

Proletarians, Profiteers, and Slaves

The Punic Wars and the constant conquests called for drastic measures for the military. Once a man was drafted, he served for years at a time until the conflict had ended. Many of the men never came back, and the ones who did found their farm ruined because of neglect. Many people became the rank of proletarians, which basically meant "producer of offspring" in Rome. It was considered the lowest rank a Roman citizen could get. Some of the proletarians could expect to get free food and entertainment from the wealthy class citizens. A new social group was also being established. It was made up of dealers in loot and slaves, contractors to the armed forces, and war profiteers. They used their money to buy small farms and merged them into larger estates. They helped turn rundown farms into profitable farms. 

By 150 B.C, slaves made up 1/3 of the population of Italy. Slaves were mainly used on large estates, but in the city they functioned as secretaries and tutors. They helped their owners in any kind of business, including prostitution. Some slaves could save up enough money to purchase their freedom, while others worked for their owners their entire lives. Occasionally, the slaves would make enough money to become wealthy land owners too.

More to come.