Rise of Rome and How it Differed

¶ … rise of Rome and how it differed from other empires of the ancient world. There are six references used for this paper. There have been a number of different empires since the beginning of time. It is interesting to look at how Rome broke with the Etruscans and succeeded as a powerful empire, as well as its differences from other empires of the time.

The Etruscans The Etruscans settled into central Italy prior to 800 B.C, dominating the lands from the PO valley to Campania, and "established a prosperous empire with a complex culture, while reducing the indigenous population to servile status (unknown, Italy)." The Greek culture was a strong influence on the Etruscans, "their city-states were ruled by kings and their territory included Rome until it shrugged of the Etruscan yoke (Cavendish, foundation)." They were driven from the Po Valley by the Celts in the 4th century B.C.

Breaking Away group of Roman nobles, who became tired of the Etruscan king, drove him from Rome in 509 B.C. This allowed Rome to become a republic as "leading patrician families among the Romans took power and ruled as members of the Senate (www.fsmitha.com/h1/ch15.htm)." The Senate, or council of elder, which had previously advised the King in matters concerning the region became the supreme branch of government.

When Rome first broke from Etruscan rule, its trade between the Etruscans and Greek colonies in southern Italy ended, causing grain shortages and economic depression. Though the Latins had resented the Romans while they were under Etruscan rule, they formed a peace alliance with the new Republic of Rome in 493 B.C.

which "held that in wars against outsiders, alliance members were to share in commanding armies and in the spoils of war (www.fsmitha.com/h1/ch15.htm)." This alliance allowed Rome to strengthen in the wars that followed the forming of the Republic. Early Development The Romans had an advanced social and political order, and began to develop an urban civilization during the 7th century B.C. (Bower). Romulus founded Rome in 753 B.C.

And built the Palatine wall which is thought to be a "founding structure of Rome (Bower)." In the time between 800 B.C and 500 B.C, Rome became a key city that created public structures, steep ditches with walls to defend settlements and imposing temples.

Romulus chose Rome as the site "for the capital of a world empire, advantageously placed for trade, readily defensible and well provided with natural springs (Cavendish, foundation)." Ancient Rome was along important land and water routes, being "fifteen miles inland from the Mediterranean at the first point where the River Tiber was narrow enough to be bridged, yet still navigable by sea going ships (Cavendish, foundation)." Rise of Rome The ancestors of the Romans were the Latins and the Sabines, who "had not been fully subjected to the Etruscans (unknown, Italy)." Rome and the Roman Empire became the core of Italy as it grew.

Under Augustus's rule at the beginning "of the Christian era, all of Italy had been thoroughly latinized, Roman citizenship was extended to all free Italians, an excellent system of roads had been built, and Italy, made tax exempt, shared fully in the wealth of Rome (unknown, Italy)." Christianity spread throughout the region as Rome realized prosperity and a long era of peace.

Rome triumphed not only "by force of arms, but also by the policy of colonization and the building of roads which helped to assimilate newly conquered territories (unknown, ancient Rome)." The Punic Wars allowed Rome to become the main force in Italy and become the leading force in the Mediterranean. During the First Punic War from 264-241 B.C., Rome originally intended to protect its allies in South Italy, but due to Carthage's weakness, acquired Sicily, Corsica and Sardinia. Rome was victorious in the battle of Zama in 202 B.C.

during the Second Punic War which ended the military power of Carthage in the Mediterranean. During the Third Punic War, Carthage was destroyed in 146 B.C and the region became a Roman province (unknown, ancient Rome). Differences in Empires There were noticeable differences in the Roman Empire and other empires of the time.

The Romans were great builders who constructed roads throughout the empire, in which "all roads led to Rome (http://members.aol.com/bkdonnclass/indexlife.html)." The roads built by the Greeks did not connect in a certain order and were not as well constructed. The Greeks had city-states, which were their own unit, and the Chinese Empire was divided into feudal states, while Rome was center of the empire. The Romans were realists, compared to the Greeks, who were idealists. This was seen in the statues of each culture.

The Greek statues were of perfect people, while the Romans made.