Rome in the 2nd Century BC – The Seeds of Empire are Planted
The second century BC was a defining era for the Roman Republic, marked by territorial expansion, new colonies, and pivotal conflicts such as the Third Punic War. Romans built and extended key roads (Via Appia, Via Popilia), passed agrarian reforms under Tiberius Gracchus, and quelled slave revolts in Sicily. Notable figures like Marcus Tullius Cicero and Pompey the Great were born during this time, while great poets and thinkers flourished. Through military victories, legislative changes, and cultural developments—including Cato the Elder’s early mention of “pizza”—this century set the stage for Rome’s eventual transformation into an empire.
Early 2nd Century BC (General)
- Temple of Apollo at Alba Fucens is built.
- Cato the Elder’s “pizza” reference: In his writings, Cato mentions a flat round of dough topped with olive oil, herbs, and honey, then baked on stones.
200 BC
- 145th Olympiad occurs around this time.
- A small Roman Temple to the Capitoline Triad (Jupiter, Juno, Minerva) is built at Paestum (c. 200 BC).
199 BC
- Continuing disposal of Capua’s former property: more land is sold to private buyers.
- Recall that much of Capua’s territory became ager publicus after the Second Punic War. Over the years, it was parceled out or leased/sold under Roman oversight.
196 BC
- 146th Olympiad.
194 BC
- Romans establish a colony at Dicaearchia in Campania, renaming it Puteoli (modern Pozzuoli) due to numerous geothermal vents (the “little wells”).
- A sea-colony is founded at Liternum (modern Giugliano in Campania), on land once belonging to Capua.
- The marshy environment hinders Liternum’s growth despite efforts at development.
- Salernum (Salerno) is founded as a Roman colony, along with Sipontum in Apulia, Buxentum in Lucania, and Tempsa plus Croton (Crotone) in Bruttium.
193 BC
- A Latin colony named Copiae is established on the ruins of Thurii in Lucania; it soon becomes known again simply as Thurii. (Alt. date: 194 BC)
192 BC
- 147th Olympiad.
- (Approx.) Lilybaeum in western Sicily is raised to a Roman colonia.
- A Latin colony at Vibo Valentia is founded on the site of Hipponion in Bruttium (alt. date: 194 BC).
191 BC
- Roman praetor Aulus Cornelius Mammula is sent to Bruttium.
190 BC
- The Via Appia (Appian Way) is extended to Venusia.
- Marcus Tuccius serves as praetor (and later propraetor) in Bruttium and Apulia (to 188 BC).
188 BC
- 148th Olympiad.
186 BC
- Bacchanalian conspiracy: A network centered on Bacchus/Dionysus worship is discovered in Rome and southern Italy. The Senate and consuls suppress it.
- The Bacchanalia is outlawed by Roman law (Senatus Consultum de Bacchanalibus).
185 BC
- Roman praetor Lucius Postumius Tempsanus suppresses a slave revolt near Tarentum.
184 BC
- 149th Olympiad.
- Lucius Postumius Tempsanus, as propraetor, continues crushing slave revolts in southern Italy, uncovering further Bacchanalian plots.
- Roman colony established at Potentia (modern Potenza) in Lucania.
183 BC
- The Senate sends praetor Lucius Pupius to investigate Bacchanalian activities in southern Italy.
- Volcanic activity: A new islet, Vulcanello, emerges off Vulcano island.
- Death of Hannibal (by suicide) at Libyssa in Anatolia (alt. date: 182 BC).
181 BC
- Investigations of Bacchanalia continue in the south under praetor Lucius Duronius.
- Earliest known mention of a harbor at Barium (modern Bari).
180 BC
- 150th Olympiad.
- Birth of Roman satirist Gaius Lucilius at Suessa Aurunca (Campania).
- Proconsuls P. Cornelius and M. Bebius Tanfilus relocate thousands of Ligurian Apuani into northern Campania, founding Bebianum (modern Pontelandolo).
176 BC
- 151st Olympiad.
172 BC
- 152nd Olympiad.
169 BC
- The Oscan poet Quintus Ennius dies.
168 BC
- 153rd Olympiad.
- Battle of Pydna: Romans under Lucius Aemilius Paullus defeat Macedon. The poet Marcus Pacuvius commemorates this in his play Paullus.
167 BC
- Abolition of direct taxation on Roman citizens. Non-citizen allies, Latins, and Italics continue to pay taxes.
164 BC
- 154th Olympiad.
162 BC
- The Roman government reacquires Capuan land formerly sold illegally to wealthy Romans. New laws forbid further sale/lease of that ager publicus to large landowners.
160 BC
- 155th Olympiad.
156 BC
- 156th Olympiad.
152 BC
- 157th Olympiad.
149 BC
- The Third Punic War begins.
148 BC
- 158th Olympiad.
146 BC
- End of the Third Punic War: Carthage is captured and destroyed by the Romans.
- City is razed, legendary sowing with salt as a curse.
- Later, a new Roman Carthage arises as a commercial center.
144 BC
- 159th Olympiad.
141 BC
- (Approx.) Mt. Etna erupts.
140 BC
- 160th Olympiad.
136 BC
- 161st Olympiad.
135 BC: First Servile War in Sicily
- Thousands of slaves rebel under Eunus (a Syrian) and Cleon (a Cilician). They seize Henna, Tauromenium, and Morgantina, with Henna as rebel capital.
- At the height, some 200,000 slaves join the revolt.
- (Alt. dates mention 139 BC or 133 BC for its outbreak.)
133 BC
- Tribune Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus proposes agrarian reform limiting land holdings.
- 500 iugera per individual + 250 per child from ager publicus.
- Large landowners oppose it; Tiberius is ultimately assassinated by a senatorial faction led by Scipio Nasica.
- Via Popilia is built from Capua to Rhegium (as revealed by the Polla Tablet).
- Growing tension over land issues marks the start of the late Republic’s social strife.
132 BC
- 162nd Olympiad.
- End of the First Servile War: Roman forces under Publius Rupilius recapture Henna, capturing Eunus, who dies in prison at Morgantina.
- Towns aiding the rebels face punishment; Adranon (Adrano) loses autonomy.
130 BC
- The Oscan poet Marcus Pacuvius dies.
129 BC
- Roman law forbids vineyards and olive groves north of the Alps to protect Italy’s economy.
- A sumptuous Roman villa near Abellinum is built; eventually abandoned after volcanic/earthquake activity. A Romanesque cathedral later occupies that site.
128 BC
- 163rd Olympiad.
126 BC
- Eruption on Vulcano Island.
- June: Another eruption of Mt. Etna.
124 BC
- 164th Olympiad.
- Romans establish a colony (Minervium/Colonia Minervia) at Scylacium (mod. Squillace) in Bruttium.
123 BC
- Praefecti Capuam Cumas (magistrates for northern Campania) become elected rather than appointed. The office survives until Augustus.
122 BC
- A Roman colony at Tarentum is founded by Gaius Sempronius Gracchus.
- Mt. Etna erupts again.
121 BC
- Gaius Gracchus is killed by a mob organized by L. Opimius, ending his reform movement in bloodshed.
120 BC
- 165th Olympiad.
117 BC
- Major earthquake affects Apulia and Lucania.
116 BC
- 166th Olympiad.
113 BC
- Another earthquake in Lucania: wide fissures in the ground reported.
112 BC
- 167th Olympiad.
110 BC
- The world’s first cultivated oyster farms are said to begin in Campania.
108 BC
- 168th Olympiad.
106 BC
- (Jan 3) Birth of Marcus Tullius Cicero, the great Roman orator, statesman, philosopher.
- (Sept 20) Birth of Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus (Pompey the Great), a future leading general and rival of Julius Caesar.
105 BC
- (Oct 6) Battle of Arausio: The Cimbri and Teutones annihilate a large Roman army (possibly up to 80,000–120,000 men).
104 BC: Second Servile War Begins (Disputed Dates)
- 169th Olympiad.
- Another large slave rebellion erupts in Sicily, possibly starting at Segesta, led by Tryphon and Athenion. Dates vary: some sources mention 103 or 102 BC.
- Leontini is sacked by rebel slaves in Sicily.
- Insurrection in Campania led by the knight Vettius.
- Romans adopt the eagle (aquila) as the principal legionary standard.
103 BC
- Death of Gaius Lucilius, the satiric writer, at Neapolis (Naples).
102 BC
- Battle of Aquae Sextiae: Gaius Marius defeats the Teutones and Ambrones.
101 BC
- Battle of Vercellae: Gaius Marius defeats the Cimbri, ending the immediate Germanic threat to Rome.
Key Takeaways
- Continued Colonization & Infrastructure
- Rome founded numerous colonies (Puteoli, Salernum, Thurii, Vibo Valentia) and extended the Via Appia, solidifying its control and connectivity in southern Italy.
- Socio-Religious Tensions
- The Bacchanalian conspiracy triggered harsh crackdowns throughout Italy.
- Slave revolts—First Servile War (135–132 BC) and Second Servile War (104 BC onward)—challenged Rome’s aristocracy, especially in Sicily.
- Rise of Reformers & Violence
- Agrarian reform by the Gracchi highlighted wealth inequality; both Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus were violently opposed and killed.
- These events foreshadowed the deepening social and political rifts of the Late Republic.
- Global Conflict
- Rome destroyed Carthage in 146 BC, removing a key rival.
- The Macedonian Wars culminated in the Battle of Pydna (168 BC), confirming Rome’s dominance in the eastern Mediterranean.
- Cultural & Intellectual Milestones
- Writers such as Ennius, Pacuvius, and Lucilius flourished.
- The births of Cicero and Pompey near century’s end signaled the rise of influential figures who would shape 1st-century BC politics.
By 101 BC, Rome stood at the brink of a new era. It had subdued major threats, expanded its provincial network, and begun struggling with internal divisions that would soon transform the Republic.