Between Rome and Carthage
Southern Italy during the Second Punic War

This book explores the relations of the Italian cities with Rome and Carthage during the Second Punic War.

Michael P. Fronda (Author)

9781107689503, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 27 November 2014

404 pages, 15 maps
22.9 x 15.2 x 2.3 cm, 0.59 kg

'Fronda's fresh and modern approach to the [Second Punic] war's diplomatic arena, which both incorporates material and numismatic evidence alongside written sources and situates events in their historical context, offers much more than its subtitle suggests. Although not structured as a narrative, the book develops a history of southern Italy in a neglected period, c.350–200 BCE, and contributes much of interest to scholars of Roman history more generally.' Bryn Mawr Classical Review

Hannibal invaded Italy with the hope of raising widespread rebellions among Rome's subordinate allies. Yet even after crushing the Roman army at Cannae, he was only partially successful. Why did some communities decide to side with Carthage and others to side with Rome? This is the fundamental question posed in this book, and consideration is given to the particular political, diplomatic, military and economic factors that influenced individual communities' decisions. Understanding their motivations reveals much, not just about the war itself, but also about Rome's relations with Italy during the prior two centuries of aggressive expansion. The book sheds new light on Roman imperialism in Italy, the nature of Roman hegemony, and the transformation of Roman Italy in the period leading up to the Social War. It is informed throughout by contemporary political science theory and archaeological evidence, and will be required reading for all historians of the Roman Republic.

1. Introduction
2. Apulia
3. Campania
4. Bruttium and Western Magna Graecia
5. Southern Lucania and Eastern Magna Graecia
6. The Roman re-conquest of Southern Italy
7. Conclusions
Appendix A. The war in Samnium, 217–209
Appendix B. Chronology of events in Bruttium, 215
Appendix C. Chronology of events from the defection of Taras through the defection of Thurii, 213–212
Appendix D. Defection of the Southern Lucanians, 212.

Subject Areas: Ancient history: to c 500 CE [HBLA]