The Roman Empire was a political, economic, and military superpower throughout the ancient European world, governed by an Emperor based on an imperial structure. Formed in 27 BCE after Augustus Caesar's proclamation as the first emperor of Rome, it rapidly expanded before reaching its territorial peak in 117 CE, spanning all of western Europe and much of the Mediterranean Basin. To create and administer such a vast expanse of territory, the Roman Empire utilized various methods of hard and soft power. Though the use of hard power was vital in expanding the borders of the Roman Empire, it was the use of soft power that ultimately integrated conquered territories and people alike under Roman rule, thus creating a sense of unity between all its …show more content…
The extent to which Rome utilized Hard power can be seen in a document on Roman warfare procedures written by Livy—a prominent Roman historian. In preparation for hostilities with another nation, Rome sought to adhere to strict regulations and justifications to ensure they would emerge both victorious and righteous. Before any offensive action, an envoy would be sent to the offending nation to first state the offense of the nation and what they had done to anger both the Romans and, by connection, their Gods. Second, the envoy would proclaim religious and deities support for a resolution in the Romans' favor—peaceful or otherwise. Third, the envoy would list the demands of the Empire and the concessions to be made by the offending nation in the form of taxation and manpower transfers to avoid conflict. These terms were often exorbitantly high and unrealistic for the paying nation to deliver. If these demands were not met within 30 days, the Imperial Senate would vote on a resolution for war with the offending nation. Though the senate had no true legislative power, which rested in the hands of the emperor, it was a powerful symbol if the senate supported …show more content…
Rome's vast economic strength allowed them to reinvest money into constructing and maintaining roads, aqueducts, and other services. This investment of funds can be seen in the construction of the Appian Way. The Appian Way was a major transit link connecting Rome to the coastal city of Brindisi in southeastern Italy—a major trade hub of the Empire. The Appian was built to be long-lasting and resilient against the elements, as well as protected from wear and tear from constant use by merchants and traders, as well as frequent transport of army platoons and squadrons. However, most importantly, the road brought bountiful trade all along its path. A constant flow of goods and supplies were transported to and fro cities on the Appian, and economic prosperity exploded in the nearby regions connected to the road. Additionally, the lessened travel time from the Capitol to regions bound to the Appian Way allowed information and messages from Rome to reach these places before others—further extending the Empire's influence over these territories. The Roman Empire's investment in public services like this one shows their dedication to the satisfaction and prosperity of their citizens. The development of an inter-city transportation system between Rome and Brindisi brought prosperity to both of the cities. Similar to modern highway transport systems, long-distance roads allowed commercial
From about 50 BCE to the year 200 CE, the Roman Empire was a powerful nation. Rome was the city that became the center of the Roman Empire and by 200 BCE Rome became a powerhouse. The Romans conquered Scotland to Spain, controlled the Mediterranean Sea, and established colonies in North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia Minor. By the year 44 BCE Julius Caesar became a Roman Emperor and Rome had a great military. Then around the 5th century CE the Roman Empire began to weaken. The primary reasons for the fall of Rome was because of the Roman Emperors, the Roman Army, and foreign invasion.
In the Roman Empire roads begin to emerge throughout the city for the military to make haste to defend its city from enemies. The roads where essential for the growth of the empire, originally for the troops they soon began to use the roads for trade goods and communicating news to its neighbors. Roman roads varied from simple roads to the better paved roads that had cuts the stone to allow water to flow though while keeping the road itself dry. Rome had so many roads at one time that it was said all roads lead to Rome.
Over time after the nomadic tribes were united, the warriors grew into a ruthless army and eventually the Mongols conquered China and defeated the Song. On the other hand, the Roman empire was created by Octavian. When Julius Caesar died, Octavian and Marc Antony divided the land between west and east. Octavian and Marc Antony where starting to not get along with each other and later on had conflicts with each other and Octavian was the one who ended up living and becoming the first emperor of Rome, making the first empire of Rome. The Roman empire grew by keeping peace and increasing resources and administration
Rome was one of the greatest empires of the ancient world. The early Roman state was founded in 509 B.C. after the Romans drove out the hated Etruscan king. By this time Rome had already grown from a cluster of small villages to a small city. Little did the settlers know that this was the beginning of one of the greatest and largest empires ever known.
There were several strengths of the Roman Empire which enabled it to survive for more than four hundred years. These strengths included a strong foundation, having been built off of the Roman Republic; the standardization across the empire of many aspects of life, such as language, law, and especially the extension of citizenship, which made the empire more cohesive and easier to rule; and strong leaders, who were able to utilize the manipulation of the upper class and Senate, and the management of the military.
The era dominated by Roman empire is one the most well-known and influential periods of history, home to famous names from Julius Caesar to Jesus Christ. At its height, Rome’s territory stretched from the Atlantic coastline to the Middle East, reigning over 60 million people, one-fifth of the population of the ancient world. However, the Roman empire’s treatment of their conquered people’s and their own citizens ultimately led to the permanent downfall of Rome.
As the story goes, Rome was founding in 753 B.C. by two brothers Remus and Romulus who were raised by wolves. The two brothers started fighting over the leadership of the land. Eventually Romulus killed Remus and took control own his own. The city was only a small settlement at that time. As the civilization grew, the Etruscans took over. The Romans drove out the Etruscans in 509 B.C. By this time Rome had become a city. As the empire came to its peak it included lands throughout the Mediterranean world. Rome had first expanded into other parts of Italy and neighboring places during the Roman Republic, but made wider conquests and made a strong political power for these lands. In 44 BC Gaius Julius Caesar, the Roman leader who ruled the Roman Republic as a dictator was assassinated. Rome descended into more than ten years of civil war. After years of civil war, Caesar's heir Gaius Octavius (also known as Octavian) defeated his last rivals. In 27 B.C. the Senate gave him the name Augustus, meaning the exalted or holy one. In this way Augustus established the monarchy that became known as the Roman Empire. The Roman Republic, which lasted nearly 500 years, did not exist anymore. The emperor Augustus reigned from 27 BC to AD 14 and ruled with great power. He had reestabl...
The Romans built a great and powerful empire. The Romans were able to build the empire through vast conquest and annexations from 3BC to 3 AD. Rome was maintained this huge empire with a disciplined army, tight administration and phenomenal communication with all conquered countries and cultures. These three things were made possible through technologically advances throughout the empire. These means helped build and maintain the great Roman Empire.
The empire that the Roman’s built can be argued to have been the greatest in world history. The Roman Empire controlled the largest land area in European history and influenced a huge region, acting as a cultural center for the entire continent of Europe. Their strength derived from their prowess and skill on the battlefield. The Roman Army was extremely effective and became the basis of our military structure today by utilizing technological advances in strategy and weaponry, and simply having more discipline.
The Roman Empire dominated much of Europe, Asia Minor, and parts of Northern Africa for nearly five hundred years. The Roman Empire lasted from 27 BC to 476 AD and is credited with being the world’s greatest superpower. The Roman Empire was known for their wealth, which was gained from conquest, their citizens, who lived in luxury, and their military, which was extensive and well trained. There was not an outside force strong enough to bring down an Empire so large and so powerful. In the end, it was the Roman Empire itself that led to its demise. Over the last three hundred years of Imperial rule the Empire was slowly crumbling.
The ancient Roman Empire began when Romulus founded the city of Rome in approximately 753 B.C. and lasted until about 1453 A.D. when the German invasion occurred. Throughout this era, specifically 250 BC until 200 AD, historians including Theodor Mommsen and Sara Phang have debated and interpreted several aspects of how and why the Roman military evolved and the military system itself. These authors used several ancient Roman historians, including Livy and Publius, public records, war accounts and many other sources to investigate and theorize different conclusions about why the Roman military was so powerful and how they were able to conquer the vast majority of the European Continent and the known world.
The Roman republic at first tried to protect itself from foreign enemies, not by being defensive, but by going on the offensive and destroying those that had any possibility of threatening the young republic. Once this started it was hard to stop the citizen army’s consisted of hop-lite phalanxs from continuing on with what they were good at; War. With each successful campaign came the spoils of victory, conquered land, expansion, new ideas, art, technology, religion, and so forth. All of these spoils added great wealth and power to the republic, most likely encouraging it in to becoming a empire.
The Roman Republic is highly praised for the innovation, influence and expansion that it had on the rest of the world. In a period of expansion there was also a setting of constitutional precedent for the future late Republic and Roman Empire. The Roman Republic can also be viewed from the perspective of internal balances of power. That being said, although the Roman Republic as not a full democracy, as stated by Polybius, it did provide some political power to the people. Constitutionally, the Roman people played a large role in politics, but said power was limited through checks of the Senate and Consul, an most positions of power were very concentrated in the hands of Patricians and aristocrats, who can be seen as upper citizens in Rome.
The Roman Empire was incredibly large and successful. In the prime of the empire population reached up to 56.8 million people. The land they conquered amasses to an outrageous 1 million square miles. Their influence is so great that even now people can see their imprint in architecture, law, and even helping spread Christianity, the world’s most populous religion. These amazing facts also begs a question.
The Roman Empire was one of the largest in history. At its height in 117 A.D., it spanned from Iberia all the way to the Caspian Sea, covering over 5 million square kilometers. The Roman Empire left behind a vast legacy, consisting of art, architecture, and religion. However, like all empires, the Roman empire fell. Usually, when people think of the fall of the Roman Empire, they think of the fall of the Western Roman Empire, formed after Diocletian split the Roman Empire in 284 A.D.