history assignment Ancient Rome

HISTORY ASSIGNMENT – ANCIENT ROME

Hello, Australian Historical Society! I am an expert in Roman History, and I have been asked to talk to you for an excessive four minutes. Please be aware that I am a very nervous person, especially in front of large groups of people, so I may or may not screw it up horribly. If I am ever inaudible or I stop abruptly it may be because my hands are shaking too much to be able to read the words I’m supposed to be saying, so please be patient.
The Gracchi (168-121BCE)
Tiberius Sempronius and Gaius Sempronius Gracchus, commonly known as the Gracchi, are Roman political reformers who, through their use of the Plebeian tribune, set Roman politics on a course that ended in the collapse of the republic. But their liberalism and overzealous desire to correct existing problems brought them up against Senatorial conservatives, who killed them.
Tiberius often disregarded the Senate’s authority. He brought his bills straight to the people and ignored the Senate. He also ignored Senatorial privilege over land affairs, sometimes extending his authority over what would usually be the Senate’s area of governing. He tried to run for second term, but was killed by the Senate in the ensuing riot.
While Tiberius had a mild and temperate disposition, his brother Gaius was impulsive and volatile. He was also an excellent speaker and an amazing politician. Gaius Gracchus showed how a tribune, with the support and adherence of the poor, could overcome the Senatorial leadership. He was extremely popular with the poor, often passing bills in their favour. He was so popular that he was re-elected for a second term, the first Roman politician to do so.
However, after his supporters were either converted or expelled from Rome by the Senate, he failed to be re-elected for his third term and so ordered a servant to kill him. Since the Senate often took such violent stances against the Gracchi, many popular leaders saw the danger of the Senate. This distrust within the government lead to the inevitable collapse of the Roman republic.
And now I’ll move on to my second topic. I apologise in advance for any mispronunciations.
Conquest of Britain (43-47CE)
Although Julius Caesar had visited Britain in 55 BCE and reported that the soil was good, the Romans did not invade and conquer Britain. In any case, there was plenty of food and people that could be used as slaves, so it was not a pressing matter. It wasn’t until 43 CE that the Romans, under the Emperor Claudius, decided to conquer Britain.
The Romans crossed the Channel from Boulogne and set up a base at Richborough in Kent. Different legions were sent to conquer different parts of Southern Britain. The 2nd legion set up their first base at Fishbourne, near Chichester in Sussex, and then continued to Exeter where they set up their main base. The 20th legion established their base at Colchester, the 14th legion at Leicester and the 9th at Longthorpe near Peterborough. Eleven British Kings surrendered to Claudius immediately while King Caratacus was easily defeated by the 20th legion and escaped to Wales.
By 47 CE, half the country had been conquered, but some Kings (like Caratacus) still resisted the Romans. Caratacus lost another battle to the Romans near the river Severn in 51 CE but escaped again and hid in the camp of the Brigantes tribe. However, the Queen of the Brigantes told the Romans that Caratacus was hiding with them. The Romans captured Caratacus and sent him to Rome as a slave.
In 60 CE, King Prastagus of the Iceni tribe, who had signed a peace treaty with the Romans, died. His wife, Boudicca, became Queen and intended to remain at peace with the Romans. However, the Romans said that all Prastagus' land and possessions now belonged to them. They attacked the Iceni tribe, taking their land and Prastagus' two daughters. Boudicca was, quite understandably, outraged at this, and so began planning her revenge on the Romans.
Boudicca joined forces with the Trinovantes and together they formed an army powerful enough to fight the Romans. Boudicca's army captured and burned London, Colchester and St Albans. The Romans were forced to raise the largest army they had ever had to defeat Queen Boudicca. The Romans killed anyone who opposed them. Boudicca poisoned herself to prevent the Romans from capturing her.
And that concludes my extremely tedious four-minute speech. I hope it was more enjoyable to listen to than it was to give, because otherwise it would’ve been the most atrocious thing you had ever had the misfortune of overhearing.
Thank you for your time.

BIBLOGRAPHY
Books
The Gracchi, by Henry Charles Boren
The Gracchi Marias and Sulla, by A. H. Beesley
AD 43: The Roman Invasion of Britain, A Reassessment, by John Manley
Roman Britain/Pelican History of Britain: 1, by Unknown Author
Websites
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/appian-civwars1.asp visited: 28 March 2012 http://dante.udallas.edu/hutchison/Fall_of_Republic/gracchi_brothers.htm visited: 28 March 2012 http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/romans/questions_01.shtml visited: 29 March 2012 http://www.historyonthenet.com/Chronology/timelineroman.htm visited: 29 march 2012