The Roman Empire
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The Roman Empire
Rome became the most powerful empire of the Mediterranean for numerous reasons. The most significant advantage was the location where Rome resides. The location allowed them to become involved in the trade around the sea and build a stable economy, as well as succeed at agriculture and farming. Another reason for their success was the government system which started out as a democracy. Unfortunately, democracy didnt last and therefore this same factor was the major contribute to the failure of the great empire. Constant warfare and victory expanded the territory and established the power of Romans. The Roman Empire gained control over the centuries using all of its advantages, however was brought down by the misuse of its government system.
The biggest advantage of Romans success was the location of their establishment. Italy is divided into eastern and western sides by Apennines mountains, which to the advantage are less rocky than the ones in Greece and therefore didnt divide people into isolated communities, instead brought them together. The land in Italy was ideal for farming and for that reason it could support larger number of people based on the agriculture. Latium, on which Rome was located had access to the Sea and yet it was far enough bringing safety from pirates and invasions. Also, Rome was easily defended due to the locations of the seven hills. The neighbors of Italy were a large contribution to its development. Etruria, was one of the closest neighbors was populated with Greeks who arrived during the colonization in 750-550 B.C.E.. They refined olives and grapes, provided their alphabet and brought their culture and religion during the invasion of Romans. Etruscans were not the only ones conquered by Romans. There were other Greek colonies in the southern and northern part of Italy who were made as allies. Romans acted in a diplomatic way with the neighbors they defeated, establishing colonies and building roads to connect the settlements.
Romans started out their government as a democracy, in fear of having a dictator, or a monogamous ruler. Annually they chose two consuls who administered the government and led army into war. As the territory expanded they had to add on a government official to their Senate which originally consisted of three hundred elder patricians. One of the major internal conflicts Romans struggled over was the division between citizens. Patricians were the wealthy landowners who were a part of aristocrat governing class. Plebians on the other hand were a larger group who consisted of nonpatrican landowners, artisans, merchants and small farmers. They didnt have the same rights as patricians, instead they were discriminated against. Plebians were the ones who served in the army, as a result they used their fighting power to get Senate to pass laws in their favor. As the Romans wanted to conquer another neighbor, plebians bribed senate to establish their own government officials for fighting for Romans. The struggle for plebians rights dragged for hundreds of years when finally they were permitted to become a part of the administration.
Gaining power over Carthage was a big improvement for the Roman Empire. Carthage at the time was a powerful empire over the northern Mediterranean. It consisted of northern Africa, Southern Spain, Sardinia, Corsica and western Sicily.
It was founded by Phoenicians and over time developed the largest trade industry in the Mediterranean. The two powers began struggle of control 264 B.C.E.. During the first Punic War, Romans conquered Sicily defeating the navy of Carthage. Also, Romans got an idea of how to make ships from Carthagenian navy, and developed their own naval fleet. During the second Punic War, Romans encouraged one of Carthages allies, Spain, to go against Carthage, and because of that one of their greatest generals Hannibal pulled back his troops. Hannibal crossed over the Alps with a thirty to forty thousand men army and six thousand horses and elephants. He defeated the first of Roman Empire on his way, using the men power and the elephants to scare people. Romans, however did not give up and soon raised an army to gain back their lost land. In addition, Romans sent their troops to Spain and freed them from Carthage. The third Punic War led Romans to final success. They defeated Carthage as well as other Hellenistic eastern states in the Mediterranean, gaining the final power and becoming the superiors in the area.
The changing government was the