The rise of the Roman Empire is one of the ancient world’s greatest mysteries. Although evidence suggests it started around 800 B.C., historians believe that Rome emerged from the 753 BC foundation of the city. This period, known as the Regal period of Rome, saw the reigns of seven legendary kings who were credited with the establishment of the Republic in 509 BC.
It was during this period that Rome developed into a powerful city-state. The early Roman kings had achieved hegemony of the local peoples through the formation of an alliance of cities. This alliance, known as the Latin League, was the basis of victory over the neighboring Etruscans during the fifth century BC. The League enabled Rome to develop its military power, so it was able to take control of the Italian peninsula by the start of the third century BC.
Rome’s success as an empire was additionally underpinned by its carefully selected system of government. The city was divided into ten major districts known as ‘regions’ and each region was divided into a network of towns and villages. Each of the regions was ruled by a magistrate appointed by the Senate and Assembly representing the principal families of Rome. This political structure enabled Rome to grow into the powerful and most influential city-state of the ancient world.
Fuelled by their domination of the Italian peninsula, the Romans soon began to expand their influence across the Mediterranean. The first victories were secured in the third century BC where the Romans seized control of Sicily, Carthage, and the Iberian Peninsula. The Roman Empire soon stretched from Britain in the North all the way down to North Africa.
Roman society was also highly militarised, with all male citizens having to serve in the army. This allowed Rome to quickly mobilise armies and embark on campaigns of conquest. This served to expand the power, renown, and economic riches of the Roman Empire. This combination of military prowess and political order allowed Rome to win major battles and wars against rival empires while keeping the Roman citizens safe and happy.
The combination of military prowess, political order and economic prosperity allowed the Romans to build one of the most enduring civilisations the world has seen. The political and social institutions established by the Romans during their long tenure still remain a part of modern society. The Roman way of life was very different in comparison to the ancient Greeks, who created a classic form of self-governance. Contrary to the Greeks, who liked to discuss large matters in a political forum, the Roman’s were largely governed from the top. This allowed the Roman Senate to avoid much dissension and keep a tight hold on the regulation of everyday life.
Another city-state, the Greeks, had some influence on Roman culture. The Aegean civilisations, especially Athens, had a vast impact on Roman literature, philosophy, religion, medicine, architecture and engineering, causing the Romans to adopt a large number of their value systems, customs and laws.
The Romans have also left an extensive mark on the world’s history with their philosophical works, vast body of literature and famously resilient legal system. Roman jurisprudence has been relevant and influential up until modern times, and much of our modern legal system can be traced back to Roman times.
Religion
The Romans embraced a polytheistic form of religion centred around the ancient gods of Rome, Greece and the wider Mediterranean region. Many of the gods created had links with the activities of man, such as Mars the God of War, Neptune the God of sailors and Mercury the God of trade. Religion was part of the everyday life of Roman citizens and all aspects of life were attributed to the gods. People would offer sacrifices to the gods and have their fortune told by priests as they believed it would help them in their everyday lives.
Roman religion was also incredibly organised, it wasn’t enough to just believe in the gods, people had to do it the ‘right’ way. All Roman citizens had to follow the state religion and take part in the rituals and festivals, any who failed to do so could be condemned as a criminal.
Architecture
The architecture of Ancient Rome was heavily influenced by the Greeks and other civilizations. The use of marble, stone and grandiose columns were heavily employed in the construction of public buildings and architectural features. Ancient Rome is famous for its buildings such as the Colosseum, Pantheon, and aqueducts which were all built with a combination of materials to create stunning pieces of architecture.
The Colosseum was built between 70-82 AD and is considered one of the most impressive monuments from the ancient world. Originally built to house gladiator games, it was built in a oval shape with walls of different heights and tiers on each side. It also featured 80 arched entrances, allowing for a massive capacity of 55,000 people.
The Pantheon was built between 118 to 128 AD, and it is known as one of the most important buildings in Rome. It was a huge temple dedicated to all the gods of Rome, and it featured a large dome which was one of the inspirations for the Renaissance and Baroque architects.
The aqueducts of Ancient Rome were the engineering marvels of their time. The aqueducts were huge structures made of stone, and they were built to connect Rome’s public baths, fountains and other public works with fresh water from the surrounding hills.
Economy and Society
The Ancient Roman Empire was based on a slave economy and the introduction of coinage into the empire relying on trade and military prowess. The Roman coins were made from valuable metals such as gold, silver, copper and bronze. Most coins contained the portrait of the emperor, and with their military success, the citizens of Rome were more than willing to recognise their Emperor’s superiority, and pay for the coin.
The Ancient Roman economy was connected to many other empires through trade links, and in turn it became the most powerful economy in the world. The Roman economy was primarily agrarian, relying on the distribution of goods and services. The main source of income for the citizens was in trading goods. The trade networks extended far and wide, as did their luxurious tastes. This meant that luxury goods and services were often imported, bringing in further wealth to the Roman citizens.
In addition to the trade networks, the Ancient Roman citizens also had access to public services such as roads, temples and public buildings. This allowed them to travel across the empire and in turn allowed goods and services to be more easily transported as well as helping to strengthen the Roman economy as a whole.
Legacy
The legacy of Ancient Rome has become embedded within Western culture, and its influence can be seen in everything from our language, to our religious and social customs. In the Classical Era, Ancient Rome was the centre of learning. It was during this time that the ideas of stoicism, Epicureanism and the three great Greek philosophers were developed.
The Romans were also responsible for the spread of Christianity throughout the Roman Empire and continue to influence the religious traditions and moral values of many European nations.
In terms of language, the Latin language has had a huge impact on modern languages like French, Spanish, Italian and Romanian. In addition, the Latin alphabet, which is used in many European languages today, is a direct descendant of the Ancient Roman alphabet.
Finally, the Roman legal system inspired many of the legal systems that exist today. The Roman legal system was based on a set of well-organised concepts and principles, known as the “Corpus Juris Civilis”. This legal system was the basis for the modern civil codes of Europe and many other countries.
Conclusion
The legacy of Ancient Rome is one of the most enduring in world history. Its rise to power in 800 B.C. through its careful selection of political structures saw Rome established as the most powerful city-state in the ancient world. Its combination of military power and political order enabled it to control much of the then-known world, while its carefully crafted culture and religion gave it a long-lasting legacy. Its cultural influences can be seen even in the modern world with its language, literature, art, legal systems and religious customs continuing to be prevalent today.
