The Roman Empire :: essays research papers

The roman letters pudding stoneWhen the ancient Greeks were reaching the height of their glory, the power of Rome, to the west, was slowly rising. The Romans were best in warfare, engineering, and government. Rome rose to power gradually, with no set plan for institution conquest. The Romans fought many wars and enslaved many people. By the time of Augustus, shortly before Christ, some of the known world was unified and at peace under Roman dominate. The Kings of Early Rome The early Romans didnt keep any create verbally records. There are only two existing documents, which give the invariable early history of Rome. The old legends say that Romulus founded the city in 753 BC when the settlements on the seven hills were united. Under his heir, the Romans conquered Alba Longa, the religious center of the Latin civilizations. During the rule of Ancus Martius, a number of annoying Latin cities were conquered, and their people were brought to Rome. The Etruscan Conquest currently before 600 BC, Rome was conquered by s everal Etruscan princes from across the Tiber River. Tarquinius Priscus drained the citys marshes. The pass of the kings of Rome, Tarquinius Superbus, was a dictator who opposed the people. Under the rule of the Etruscans Rome grew in importance and power. Great temples and impressive public works were built. Rome had fix the largest and richest city in Italy. Period of Conquest It was only a diminutive city-state, much like the city-states that were growing at the same time in Greece. The common citizens were called the plebs or plebeians. They marched out of Rome in a system and threatened to make a new city in 494 BC. In 350 BC the plebeians were admitted to the dictatorship. The Roman Senate has been called the "most distinguished and important political body, which has ever existed in the world." Political StruggleThe struggle for political power was the economical struggle between rich and poor. Gradually, reforms were force d through. Compelled at first to get by for its very existence against powerful neighbors, Rome gradually fought its way to the leaders of the Italian civilizations. Success of Rome Slowed Down By GaulsThe successful work out of Rome received a temporary difficulty in 390 BC when wandering Gauls advanced through the center of Etruria. In another blow Rome conquered their whole territory. Only southern Italy remained independent. Fearful at the deal out of Roman power, the Greek cities appealed to Pyrrhus.