SICILY AND THE IMPERIALISM OF MID- REPUBLICAN ROME : (289-191BC) John Serrati A Thesis Submitted for the Degree of PhD at the University of St Andrews 2001 Full metadata for this item is available in St Andrews Research Repository at: http://research-repository.st-andrews.ac.uk/ Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/10023/11102 This item is protected by original copyright L Sicily and the Imperialism of mid-Republican Rome (289-191 BC) John Serrati Ph.D. Ancient History 19 January 2001 i) I, John Serrati, hereby certify that this thesis, which is approximately 96,000 words in length, has been written by me, that it is the record of work carried out by me and that it has not been submitted in any previous application for a higher degree. Signature of Candidate ii) I was admitted as a research student in October 1995 and as a candidate for the degreeofPh.D. in Ancient History in October 1996; the higher study for which this is a record was carried out in the University of St. Andrews between 1995 and 2001. iii) I hereby certify that the candidate has fulfilled the conditions of the Resolution and Regulations appropriate for the degree ofPh.D. in the University of St. Andrews and that the candidate is qualified to submit this thesis in application for that degree. F:-·;T,',,:.-~TD Signature of Supervisor ... .tt,"·.· .:.:.~~::;.L~~J Date ..I.'1.b.J~.~ .. "'"-...... .,r-'" In submitting this thesis to the University of St. Andrews I understand that I am giving permission for it to be made available for use in accordance with the regulations of the University Library for the time being in force, subject to any copyright vested in the work not being affected thereby. I also understand that the title and abstract will be published, and that a copy of the work may be made and supplied to any bona fide library or research worker. ({>;:JT~T~--~C:'- ..;.( .... ' ~7;} Date Signature of Candidat~ i.{:!?~;·~!: ···r~ ,. ,::r< ~,,: "{ .1.0/'-/·· . \~?'. '::i.~.. _"'::";":2.~~~;;.~~~" I. Abstract This thesis will use Sicily as a microcosm to illustrate the imperialism of mid-Republican Rome, in particular in the western Mediterranean. Here, Rome received tangible benefits from occupying the places they conquered, as opposed to the east, where subjugation brought with it few short term benefits other than movable plunder. In Sicily, the revenue of occupation was grain, specifically grain for the Roman army. The second. aim of the thesis is to demonstrate the process of Roman administrative imperialism in Sicily; that Roman control and administration expanded as the island became more important as a source of military provisions. That Sicily became not just the granary ofItaly, but also ofthe Roman legions, was not a result ofthe Roman conquest or ofthe later administration that was put into place. Instead, the reverse is true; Roman government on Sicily was a byproduct of the fact thatthe island provided Rome with the means to make war. Contents Acknowledgements IV Abbreviations VI Weights and Measures V111 Map of Sicily IX Introduction 1 Part I Patterns of Roman Imperialism Chapter 1 . The Nature of Roman Impe~ialism in Sicily 7 The Historiography. ofRoman Imperialism 8 Roman Imperialism (27$-264) 12 Economic Motives and the Campanian Connection 17 Sicily as the First Regularised Provincia 22 Conclusion 25 Chapter 2 Sources 27 Contemporary Sources 30 Cicero 37 The Biographers 41 The Historians 43 Polybios and his Sources 56 Chapter 3 The Treaties Between Rome and 'Carthage 73 The First Treaty 74 The Second Treaty 79 The Third Treaty 82 The Fourth Treaty 95 The Ebro Treaty and the Saguntum Affair 96 Chapter 4 The First Punic War 103 The Prelude to War (289-264) 106 Opening Phase (264-260) 113 The War Outside Sicily (259-255) 124 The Capture ofPanormos and the Penultimate Stage of the War (254-250) 130 The Fall ofPunic Sicily (250-241) 135 Aftermath 150 Chapter 5 The Second Punic War 157 The Kingdom ofHieron 160 Carthage and Rome Between the Wars 170 The Second Punic War in Sicily 172 11 (i) 218-216 172 (ii) The Defection ofSyracuse (215-213) 176 (iii) The Siege of Syracuse (213-211) 187 Final Pacification (211-210) 206 Peace (209-204) 213 The Roman Province of Sicily (203-191) 219 Conclusion 222 Chapter 6 Roman Imperialism in Sicily: Conclusions 225 PartIl Mechanis~~ of Roman Imperiali~m ,r, Chapter 7 , The Military Presence' 232 ,Sicily as'a Roman Provincia 233 Administration 238 Military Forces on the Island 248 (i) Garrisoning the Province 248 (ii) The SiCilian Allies 253 (iii) The Venerii 255 Conclusion 256 Chapter 8 The Grain Supply 258 Roman Provincial Administration and the Imposition of the Lex Hieronica 261 The Status of Cities in Roman Sicily 268 (i) Civitates Foederatae 268 (ii) Civitates sine Foedere Immunes ac Liberae 271 (iii) CivitatesDecumanae 277 (iv) Civitates Censoriae 279 The Tithe 283 (i) Auctioning the Tithe 283 (ii) Collection 289 Transport 290 (i) Methods 290 (ii) The Role of the Publicani 292 (iii) Embarkation Points 301 Transgressions of the Lex Hieronica 303 Other Taxes 306 Sicily and the Roman Grain Supply 312 Maintenance of the Army in Sicily 314 (i) Provisions 314 (ii) External Supply 317 (iii) Winter Quarters 321 III The Destinations of Sicilian Grain 322 Conclusion 326 Appendix: Roman Supply of the African Expedition of 256 329 Conclusion 333 Bibliography 336 Acknowledgements This thesis has seen me through two laptops, three halls of residence, two apartments, four football teams, and more than one girlfriend. Since its inception, there have been a considerable number of people whose support, patience, and advice have been invaluable in aiding its completion. To my family, Donna, Marion, Cameron Justine and Elizabeth, who first gave me my love of history. There are many who have helped me along the way, in their roles as academics, and more importantly, as my friends. In particular, I should like to thank Dr Colin Adams, Dr Michel Austin, Ms Joanna Bratten, Dr Jon Coulston, Mr Ralph Covino, Prof. Michael Crawford, Ms Ann Dalton, Ms Catherine Dalton, Mrs Abi Davies, Dr Hazel Dodge, Dr Giacino Falsone, Mrs Barbara Flemming, Mr Craig Galbraith, M~ Fiona Hobden, Dr Mark Humphries, Dr Alex Llinas, Mr Ma~ro Lo Dico,Ms Lynne Ireland, DrRebecca Mancuso, Mr Danie~ Marston, Mr HlJ.gh Martin, Mr Giles Newbury; Dr John O'Flynn, Ms Nancy Owens; ,Ms AngelaPoulter, Ms Penny Rush, Ms Helen Seavour, Prof. Hereward ,Senior, Ms Debbi Smith, Mr Scott Smith, Ms Amy Spivey­ Moore, Dr Stepfano Vassallo, Prof. Michael Whitby, and Prof. Greg Woolf. To the School of Greek, Latin and Ancient History for allowing me to write this thesis in a supportive, nurturing, and stimulating environment. Th~mk you as well for the research and travel grants that have gone towards the improvement of this work. To St Leonard's College for the funding that made it possible for me to come to St Andrews, and to the Russell Trust, for travel grants that allowed me to spend considerable time in Sicily. To Prof. John Richardson, Although our chats were few, your generous advice and helpful suggestions were of immeasurable value. To the Main Library of the University of St Andrews, and in particular to Mr Scott McGregor, whose ability to locate obscure references is only outdone by his astounding goals. To my students, past and present, for constantly reminding me of the joys of history, and also for reminding me that there is more to life than books. To St Peregrinus Latosius Football Club, for providing me with some of my greatest memories of St Andrews, and for six trophies in five years! To my examiners, Dr Peter Derow and Prof. Geoffrey Rickman, for making my viva such a pleasurable, and overall painless, occasion. I hope to do justice to your astute and constructive comments in future versions of this work. To Prof. Jill Harries, who also served as one of my examiners and who has supported me greatly from the time that I arrived in St Andrews, through my viva, and who continues to reassure and encourage, Your kind words and timely advice have always been an inspiration, but most of all! thank you for your faith in me. To Prof. Roger Wilson, without whose efforts the archaeological portions of this thesis would be greatly wanting. I cannot thank you enough for your generosity, kindness, and friendship. To Mr Christof Collier, for all the discussions and debates, and most of all for your friendship. The times we have spent just chatting over pints have meant more to me than I can say. v To the residents of 34 Argyle St. Drs Joana Pinto Desterro, Melissa McPherson, and Davina Moothoo. Our times together have given me some of the happiest moments of my life, and your friendship and support have been an inspiration. Thank you for always being there. To Ms Mary Dalton. Words cannot express my debt to you for sixteen years of wonderful friendship. Your understanding and strength have brought me through some of the low points of the past five years. You have always been there for me and have always made me smile. I consider it an honour to be called your friend. And finally, to the one person without whom I could never have completed this thesis, Dr Christopher Smith, my supervisor, and my friend. For your seemingly endless patience and thoughtful guidance, and for always believing in me, I shall forever be in your debt. It has been a pleasure to work with you, but it has been an honour knowing you.