Rome, city, Italy: The Subduing of Italy

In the 4th cent. b.c., Rome extended its influence over W Latium and S Etruria; during the course of that century and the next, Rome came in full contact with Greek culture, which modified Roman life tremendously. The idea of the old Roman courage and morality, however, was kept alive by such staunch conservatives as Cato the Elder. The power of the city may be inferred from the tremendous impression the sack of Rome (390 b.c.) by the Gauls made in subsequent times.

The Samnites were subdued in the wars dated conventionally 343–341 b.c., 326–304 b.c., and 298–290 b.c., and the inhabitants of Picenum, Umbria, Apulia, Lucania, and Etruria were pacified. The Roman policy in subduing Italy was that of a master toward slaves. Tarentum, besieged by the Romans, called for the aid of Pyrrhus of Epirus; he won victories at Heraclea (280 b.c.) and Asculum (279 b.c.), but after a dispute with his Italian allies he returned to Greece, leaving the Romans masters of central and S Italy.

Sections in this article:

• Introduction
• Napoleon to the Present
• Rome during the Renaissance
• Renaissance and Modern Rome
• Medieval Rome
• The Empire Declines
• Augustus and the Pax Romana
• Julius Caesar
• Effects of Expansion
• Conquests Overseas and to the East
• The Subduing of Italy
• The Roman Republic
• Rome before Augustus
• Landmarks and Institutions
• Economy
• The Modern City

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2024, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

See more Encyclopedia articles on: Italian Political Geography