Matt Kramer
THE ROMAN EMPIRE
Throughout history, great civilizations have risen in
order, prospered in freedom, and eventually died in chaos. By analyzing the
Roman rise to power and order we see, through their achievements, how Rome
flourished with prosperity and inevitably collapsed in chaos. Looking upon
Rome, future-governing bodies would study the governmental properties of the
Roman Empire while also paying mind to their failures. Through this meandering
of the pages of history intellects witnessed reoccurrences in political,
social, and economic themes. Analyzing the former they saw that the cause of
certain situations would produce the same effect. Further reading will open your mind to how Rome gained such
great power, how Rome established order, how Rome prospered, Rome’s
achievements, and how Rome declined and fell. It is common knowledge that the
Roman Empire collapsed, but a lot can be learned from analyzing their rise to
power and age of prosperity leading to the fall of Rome.
Rome emerged as a city around the sixth century B.C.E. By
overthrowing the monarchy in place Rome cleared the path for the Republic. The
Roman Republic was met with opposition from neighboring cities throughout the
peninsula. Rome was determined to expand their empire throughout the Italian
peninsula. The Latin communities posed a more immediate threat than the
Etruscans to the north, the Sabine’s, Volscian’s, and Aequi to the east and
south. In 493 B.C.E., the Latin communities had made an alliance with the
Roman’s. Regardless Rome was engaged in continuous warfare with its neighbors.
After revolts of Roman colonies and the Latin communities in Latium, they
developed the Roman confederation. The creation of the Roman confederation
allowed Latin’s and other people to become full citizens. Most of the other
communities were made allies. Rome put down many rebellions through unmerciful
military persistence. Well-trained soldiers and democratic equality in society
made Rome a grand candidate for a powerful empire. At this time Rome expanded
its boundaries as far as Spain all the way to Asia Minor through imperial
conquest.
These expansions lead to much prosperity and surplus. With
such a vast empire the Romans were able to access and afford luxuries from
hundreds of miles away. Roman culture was able to grow and prosper; literature,
the arts, religion, education, farming and morality thrived. Due to Rome’s many
achievements this prosperity was possible. Many heroic generals passed through
Rome’s prestigious leadership conquering lands defeating many including the
Persians, Carthaginians, and Spartans. The Punic wars were a defining time for
Rome’s military bringing the Roman army’s prestige to its height. Under the
Command of Scipio Rome eventually defeated Hannibal and Carthage bringing upon
Carthage’s destruction. The most enduring accomplishment is Roman law,
withstanding the test of time.
While Roman’s were enjoying the fruits of war and
relishing in their prosperity they took a break from foreign conflict. But it
all began to fall apart as the senate tried to grasp on to their conservative
regime. Constant turmoil and betrayal between the senate and other governmental
institutions, like the Equestrians or consuls set the groundwork for constant
civil war. The struggle for control by a number of powerful people generated
the civil wars exacerbating the unrest of the Republic. The Marius and Sulla
situation, Consulship of Crassus and Pompey, The First Triumvirate, the Senate
and Caesar. the struggle between Antony and Octavian; would all pay tribute to
the demise of the Republic.
After the collapse of the Republic Augustus Caesar took
over as princeps, conveying the idea of a constitutional monarch as co ruler
with the senate. Augustus kept up this appearance of a republic still being
intact while pleasing the citizens with the end of civil wars and a respite of
peace. Augustus restored and maintained traditional values. This public image
along with the solidarity of the military helped restore order to the Empire.
As a result of the civil wars the Roman army was larger and more professional.
Now in time of peace, to further restore and retain order, the army was used to
maintain domestic order. The Praetorian Guard was established by Augustus to
keep watch over the “Emperor” and also served to protect future stability of
the Republic. By the time of
Augustus’ death order was so well established that no one differed for an
alternative. In the Early empire Three dynasties ruled: The Julio-Claudian
Dynasty, The Flavian Dynasty, and The Five Good Emperors.
The Augustan age saw much prosperity, especially in the
literary arts. Literature in the Augustan age was known as “The Golden Age of
Latin Literature”, and had poets such as Virgil, Livy, Horace, and Ovid.
Augustus believed that increased luxury had undermined traditional Roman
frugality and led to lower morals. In turn prosperity wasn’t as lavish as the
old Republic. The arts flourished with a desire for realism and attention to
detail. Many beautiful painting and architectural masterpieces were created
during this period. Medicine came into its own art form in this time healing
wounds and curing illnesses. Healing properties of plants were passed down from
generation to generation along with wives tales such as remedies to prevent
baldness.
In the third century Rome was faced with many
tribulations. Flood, famine, and plague led to a considerable loss in
population. The last emperor of the “ Five Good Emperors” chose his true son,
Commodus, as a successor. This turned out to be a mistake leading to his
assassination renewing civil war. Civil war waged until Septimius Severus
seized power, creating the Severan rulers (235-284). The next fifty years was
plighted with chaotic civil war. There were twenty-two emperors in the five decades,
only two that did not die violent deaths. The Empire seemed to be falling back
into the ways of the old Republic.
By analyzing that; throughout history, great civilizations
have risen in order, prospered in freedom, and eventually died in chaos, we see
through Rome’s achievements how they flourished with prosperity and inevitably
collapsed in disarray. There is a lot learn from Rome in regards to politics,
social relations, and foreign affairs. One important lesson we can learn from
Rome would be the importance of checks and balances. It is pertinent not to
give a singular person the opportunity to gain absolute power. From the lessons
observed through the Romans once a ruler gains too much power they will either;
abuse their power or those who were once in control become jealous or angered
and push for the “dictators” assassination. Another important lesson the
history of the Roman Empire has taught us is to have a proper balance between
upholding the countries traditions and conservative nature and liberal progress
as technologies and the world changes. The necessity of paying mind to these
historical records is because; psychologically the human brain reacts in a
specific way to certain stimuli causing similar or identical effects. Throughout time, grand civilizations
have come to power established order, thrived in freedom, and eventually ceased
in disarray.
where is the roman empire term sheet!!!
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