The Punic Wars- Despite Rome's initial ineptitude at sea, you have to respect the romans for being able to adapt in times of war. The corvus was genius. However, with the introduction of Hannibal into the war, i thought Rome would fall for sure. It's strange that Hannibal, after defeat and exile sort of just faded out.
Tiberious Gracchus-Why was he opposed by the senate so intensely? If they were going to be compensated for their estates, and the financing was there, then why was he troubled so much? And why did he start the trend of violence in politics? Also, It's good that there were politicians like Gaius that were willing to put forth positive acts for the people.
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The Punic Wars were very interesting to me as well. It's amazing that one Roman invention like the Corvus would have a substantial effect in the war. The other thing that was interesting was how the Romans were wary of the sea and as you mentioned they adapted. I share your observation of Hannibal, it ended in a uneventful way. I think of all the time in the battlefield and he doesn't die, but then dies possibly from poison.
Interesting information.
I'm not sure this is entirely right but here is a thought on why Tiberius and the senate were so opposed to each other. We read that the back bone of the Roman army was made up of citizen-soldiers, farmers basically, and their farms failed while they were off fighting all these wars. Meanwhile, the wealthy Romans still at home bought up all the land leaving these farmer/army vets unemployed. Tiberius wanted to give that land back to they army vets and yes compensate the rich Romans who paid for it. Maybe the Senate felt that by doing this they were in some sense losing control to this Tiberius guy coming in and 'saving the day' for the more common man and in Tiberius' mind the betterment of Roman society.
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