History of Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome was an ancient city that was founded in 753 BC, and lasted until its eventual fall in 476 AD. This was a period of over a thousand years, and during that period, Ancient Rome grew to become one of the most influential empires in human history.
The Roman Republic began with the overthrow of the Etruscan monarchy in 509 BC, and the early Republic grew to be one of the most formidable powers throughout the Mediterranean. In the 4th Century BC, Rome had become the largest city in the world and was declared to be the centre of the world according to such figures as Julius Caesar, who was the first official Roman Emperor in 45 BC.
The Roman Empire was renowned for its achievements in politics, government, engineering, economics, military strategy, architecture and culture. The influence of the Roman Empire stretched across Europe, North Africa and the Near East. The Roman Empire was also renowned for its advancements in law, literature and language- Latin being the official language of the Roman Empire.
The Roman Empire transformed the way the world was seen, and dominated the Mediterranean with its political, cultural, military and geographic reach. Rome placed emphasis on law, order, and engineering, and pursued a policy of religious tolerance. This contributed to the diversity of cultures brought together under the Roman Empire.
The decline of the Roman Empire began in the 270s AD, but historians are still debating the exact cause of the decline. Some of the theories include military, economic, political and social changes. Additionally, the rise of Christianity, the adoption of unitary coins, and the decline of the aristocracy may have contributed to the decline of the Roman Empire.
Military Campaigns of Ancient Rome
The Roman Army was one of the most feared forces in the world, and during the period of Ancient Rome, it launched various campaigns to conquer various regions and expand the reach, power and influence of the Roman Empire.
The wars and campaigns of Ancient Rome were often dictated by politics, though they were undoubtedly driven by a thirst for conquest, power and influence. For example, Julius Caesar’s conquest of Gaul was to both increase Rome’s influence in the region and to assert his own political power.
The wars and campaigns of Ancient Rome were often bloody, and this was due to the strength of the Roman Army, as well as the ruthlessness with which they were willing to fight to achieve their goals. Furthermore, the Roman Army was fairly composed of professional soldiers rather than citizen-soldiers, which increased its effectiveness in war.
Ancient Rome is often seen as the epitome of a military superpower, and the scope and range of its conquests is testament to its power. As a result, the Roman Army was one of the most influential forces in the Mediterranean during the period of Ancient Rome.
Culture and Religion of Ancient Rome
The period of Ancient Rome was one of great cultural advancement and was characterised by the cultural achievements of the Romans in the fields of literature, art, music, theatre and architecture.
In terms of literature, Ancient Rome was adopted the use of Latin, which became the official language of the Roman Empire. This language enabled Roman literature to flourish, with authors such as Virgil, Horace and Ovid becoming renowned authors in classical antiquity. Additionally, with Latin being the language of the Roman Empire, it allowed for the spread of Roman culture across Europe, North Africa and the Near East.
Other aspects of Roman culture included theatre, which was popular and well attended by the people of Rome. Plays written by authors such as Plautus and Terence were often performed in the theatres of Rome. Ancient Rome was also renowned for its achievements in architecture, the most recognisable buildings of which are the Colosseum and the Pantheon.
Religion was also important in Ancient Rome and Roman religion was based upon the worship of classical gods and goddesses. Additionally, Christianity also arose during this period and eventually became the official religion of the Roman Empire in 380 AD.
Economy of Ancient Rome
The economy of Ancient Rome was based upon agriculture, but it was also dependent upon the trade, manufacture and provision of services. These services included banking, insurance and legal services.
The Roman economy was characterised by a high level of craft production and trade. This allowed for the development of a large number of industries such as the steel industry, the pottery industry, the paper industry and the textile industry. Additionally, the Roman economy also had a vibrant trade with the provinces of the Roman Empire, which included the importation of goods from outside the Empire.
Broader economics issues included the fact that the Roman currency was devalued by gold and silver coins, taxation was relatively high, and the reliance on slave labour to fuel the economy, as opposed to the use of paid labour. In spite of this, the Roman economy managed to remain fairly stable throughout the period of Ancient Rome.
Government and Law of Ancient Rome
The government of Ancient Rome was based upon the principles of a limited monarchy, with the Senate having legislative power, while the Roman Emperors had executive and judicial power. This setup allowed for a balance of powers, meaning that the Roman Empire was relatively stable during its period of existence.
The Romans also developed a complex legal system which was based upon Greek law and the concept of the Twelve Tables. The Twelve Tables were a compilation of laws which were designed to protect the rights of citizens in Ancient Rome. This system was later adapted and developed by legal scholars such as Cicero and Justinian, and was one of the most significant contributions of the Roman Empire to human civilisation.
The Roman legal system was also characterised by the concept of natural law, which was the idea that the laws of the Roman Republic should be above those of individuals and were created to protect the rights of citizens. This system of laws was later adopted and adapted by other systems of law and is still used in modern legal systems today.
Conclusion of Ancient Rome
The period of Ancient Rome was a period of great political, cultural and economic achievement, and this is something which can still be seen today. The influence of the Roman Empire was far-reaching and many aspects of the Roman Empire can still be seen in today’s governments, cultures and economies.
This period was incredibly influential for a thousand years, and its remains have stood the test of time in terms of historical importance. It is clear to see from our modern perspective just how influential and enduring the period of Ancient Rome was, and why it is remembered as such an important period in human history.
