Rome's stunning rise to mastery of the ancient Mediterranean Nathan Rosenstein charts Rome's incredible journey and command of the Mediterranean over the course of the third and second centuries BC. He describes the Republic's great wars - against Pyrrhus, Carthage and Hannibal, and the kings of Macedon and Syria - as well as its subjugation of Gallic northern Italy and Spain. This book reveals why and shows how Rome engaged in war so frequently; it highlights the secret of Rome's extraordinary military success and the significant impact on both Italy and Rome. Key features: Explains the political dynamics of the Republican aristocracy and the economic and demographic foundations of Roman power Demonstrates how it integrated many thousands of citizens across the whole of central Italy into a single body politic Analyses the operation of the Roman army on campaign and in combat Keywords: Rome, Pyrrhus, Middle Republic, Heraclea, Asculum, Beneventum, Maleventum, First Punic War, Second Punic War, Hannibalic War, Trasimene