Spain – Rome

Spain – Rome’s Vietnam, the Agrarian Crisis, and the Gracchi

I. Many reverses in Spain during SPW
A. Scipio brothers have initial success, but KIA in 211
B. Scipio Africanus (not yet called Africanus) goes to Spain and wins over tribes
C. Scipio’s victories at New Carthage (209), Baecula 208, Ilipia (206) destr Carth sway in Spain, Hasdrubal driven north, Hasdrubal Gisco south to Africa
D. rapacious rule in Spain causes tribal rebellion
E. Cato the Elder conquers many towns
F. Sempronius Gracchus conquers many towns (180-78), but governs justly
G. more rapacious Roman rule
H. Numantine War (20 years)
1. last Spanish stronghold to resist
2. defeats Hostilius Mancinus, forces his army to walk under yoke
3. Rs send Mancinus back as a POW, refuse to make peace
4. New commanders, Scipio has as lieutenants Marius and Jugertha
5. Scipio Aemilianus sacks Numantia, 129
II. Importance of Spain as a Roman theater
A. Unlike Greek east, the wars in Spain last decades
B. R soldiers from East come home with loot; those from Spain never return
C. Spain a quagmire, R troops go there to grow old or die
D. While troops are away, their families can not run farm, sell the land
E. Veterans returning from Spain find themselves landless, migrate to Rome
F. Urban population (near homeless) skyrockets
G. Soldiers’ farmland bought up by wealthy few – turned to fallow or ranch
H. Farmland lies unused, Rome imports food (Sicily, Egypt), commons grow bitter