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neighboring groups. Livy writes about this period but often romanticizes the “glory days” of the Roman republic, and this lens must be taken into account. Livy describes the period of monarchical rule as having been under the rule of seven kings; several are noted as having reignited wars and expanding territory including Tullus Hostilius and Ancus Martius. Not much is said about these kings besides how they conquered peoples in the surrounding area of Rome, this indicates that depending on who was in control in times of absolute rule indicated whether Rome was expanding aggressively or not. This writing also shows that there was significant expansion occurring at this time. (Livy 161) Beyond this period into the Republic it appears to be much of the same trend, conflict that leads to expansion although the Republic’s intentions were more complicated as power was not concentrated to one man.

The Punic Wars were a costly example of how Roman expansion served as a catalyst for further conflicts with other large powers in Europe and North Africa. The Punic Wars showed how war could result in the expansion of territory but at a steep cost in time, money, and life; as a result Rome acquired southern Italy, territory in North Africa, and Spain. The Second Punic War in which Hannibal attempted to defeat Rome by moving his army throughout Western Europe is a perfect example of how Rome went to war out of necessity, defending them from an aggressive power. It also proved that Rome was not invincible, having lost several battles such as that at Lake Trasimene and Cannae badly against Hannibal’s army. Cornelius Nepos writes, “After having fought the battle, Hannibal advanced upon Rome without resistance. He halted in the hills near the city… But Hannibal, although caught in a defile, extricated himself by night without the loss of any of his men, and thus tricked Fabius, that most skillful of generals.” (Nepos 22) This passage shows us the threat that faced Rome during this war, the skill and talent that Hannibal displayed as a general. His hatred for Rome was stoked by the previous conflicts and his actions were that of aggression to which the Romans must defend themselves.