In ancient times, the Roman Empire was the most extensive empire ever recorded. The Romans achieved such a colossal domination through a combination of factors, including the Roman army, the Roman roads, Pax Romana, the empire’s borders, and the advantages brought by the barbarians under their rule. Individually, these elements would have had limited impact, but together they resulted in remarkable success.
The Roman Army played a crucial role in maintaining the vast Roman empire. It was highly organized with various groups, and the leaders used whips to ensure discipline and obedience within the army. This allowed them to win battles as soldiers followed orders without question, and a strong work ethic maintained discipline. Even during times of peace, the army contributed to the development of the city by constructing roads, aqueducts, walls, and infrastructure. In terms of tactics, the Roman Army was more advanced compared to other contemporary armies. They would initially neutralize enemy shields by throwing javelins, and then disrupt their opponents’ balance by striking them with shields during close combat.
Winning battles was relatively easy for the Romans due to their efficient army. After rendering their enemies defenseless, all that remained was delivering a final blow with their swords. This military advantage allowed them to steadily acquire and protect more land. The Roman roads played a crucial role in facilitating the empire’s growth and control over its territories. With the expansion of the empire came a wealth of resources for the residents of Rome, yet they lacked an effective means of transportation. By relying on their dependable army, the Romans constructed an extensive network of roads that connected central Rome to the rest of the empire. These roads not only brought outside goods to the citizens but also enabled the transportation of the army for further conquests and defense of existing territories.
The endurance and quality of the roads used in ancient Roman times is evident today. The effort and time invested in constructing these roads were immense. The success of the Roman Empire can also be attributed to the Roman Army, the Pax Romana, and their well-built roads. The Pax Romana, known as “Roman Peace” in Latin, ensured that law and order prevailed throughout the empire. This period brought stability, civilization, and contentment among the inhabitants. It was crucial to maintain control over the empire and keep the peasants satisfied. Another aspect that contributed to the empire’s protection was the strategically built borders, whether they were natural or man-made. One such example is Hadrian’s Wall.
The wall, known as the Hadrian’s Wall, was commissioned by Emperor Hadrian in approximately 122 AD. Located in Northern England, it was considered the most heavily fortified wall constructed by the Roman Empire. Emperor Hadrian made the decision to halt further expansion of the empire, as he believed they had already conquered enough land. He was also concerned about maintaining full control of the empire if more land was acquired. Built primarily to keep out the Scottish people, this wall served as a barrier to prevent any further growth of the empire. The Romans found the Rhine River to be an effective natural border, as it allowed for easy detection of any barbarians attempting to cross. With the assistance of these natural elements, the border of the Roman Empire effectively thwarted any attempts of invasion.
If the barbarians had been conquered by the Romans, it wouldn’t have been as bad as they would think. They would benefit from Roman law and order and could become auxiliary or foreign professional soldiers of Rome. Additionally, they would live with superior technology compared to their previous home, including access to aqueducts, sewers, roads, and resources from all parts of the empire. This would prevent potential uprisings within the empire that could destroy it, since there are more people at the lower end of the hierarchy than at the higher end. These five factors all contributed to the incredible success of the Roman Empire. Many of these factors can still be observed today, such as aqueducts, Hadrian’s Wall, and Roman Roads. Nevertheless, after 500 years, the mighty Empire of Rome finally crumbled in 476 AD.
