ABSTRACT

The history of the Mediterranean in the last three centuries BC is dominated by the rise of the Roman Empire. With the final defeat and destruction of Carthage, the way lay open for the piecemeal annexation of the remaining littoral parts of the west Mediterranean, until the circle was completed in 125-120 BC by the incorporation of southern France, linking Spain with northern Italy. But this process was not without its setbacks, one of which was administered from north of the Alps-the invasion of the Cimbri and Teutones into northern Italy at the end of the second century BC-which led directly to the reorganisation of the Roman army on more professional lines by Marius. But this invasion was unconnected with the earlier Gallic invasions. It emanated from the north European Plain, and rather marked a new phase of migration that was mainly to affect central Europe a century later.