Roman Empire: Macro Point of Success and Challenges (Essay Sample)

Roman Empire
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Introduction
Studying the history of the Roman Empire using collected works of contemporary shows wide-ranging differences in the way the authors portray them, especially in the initial centuries of the lifecycle of the Roman State. The main reasons behind such variations stem from the many opinions that the modern authors put forward in different ways to ascertain the credibility of the ancient interpretations of the period. Therefore, this paper focuses on the historical account of the Roman Empire according to Cole & Symes book, “Western Civilizations”, with a reflection by the authors. The ancient records of the Roman Empire were in the form of chronicles, which define short notices of significant events relating to the names of the diplomats or other important administrators for every year.
In the course of its expansion, the political system in Rome progressively changed. In the beginning, the upheaval of the empire had only led to modest transformations; rather than the empire headed by a king, consuls reigned over it. Even though all citizens apparently elected the consuls of the young kingdom, during this era, the Roman assembly held their elections in affiliated alliances with common benefits, regional or economic. In line with its geographical setting, the extensive shoreline of the Italian peninsula exposed the Roman Empire in such a way that it became noticeably open to influences from abroad, as the sea unified instead of dividing the peoples of their ancient times. Hence, The Roman Empire continuously exposed itself to sea immigration, and mostly to the cultural incentives from their neighbors, especially those bordering similar seas as it did. In line with the power of the consuls, the only limit on their authority involved their right to sanction each other’s actions, which regularly resulted in a deadlock or intense conflicts. During such circumstances, the Senate usually had to come in as the arbitrator, while during serious emergency, such as in the elections of Cincinnatus, the empire had to appoint a dictator to serve for not more than six months. The dictator has a prominent bronze sculpture located in Cincinnati, Ohio, named after him in 1790 to commemorate the first President of the United States, George Washington. He holds the fasces in his right hand to symbolize his dictatorial authority, while his left hand grips a plow’s handle (Cole & Symes, 2011).
One of the most outstanding characteristics of the existence of the Roman Empire is the era of foreign expansion. This era characterized a thorough revolution touching on the social and economic structures of the Roman Empire (Cole & Symes, 2011). Its uniqueness involved the witnessing of the deterioration of the free Italian laborer due to the spread of slave plantations. Furthermore, it characterized the development of the city gangs of Rome, the pronounced intensification in the influence of the industrial as well as the commercial elite, and the beginning of a new living standard among the wealthy. The triumphs of the Romans over Carthage hugely expanded the Roman territory, resulting in the establishment of new royal provinces in Hispania, North Africa, and Sicily. The expansion of their territory brought about new opportunities and challenges. Concurrently, the expansion of Rome overseas led to their conflict with the eastern Mediterranean authorities, opening up opportunities for more invasions. In the course of the Second Punic War, an alliance between Carthage and Philip V of Macedonia occurred, which progressively led to the aggressive movement into Greece apparently to have Egypt’s designs. The Roman Empire sent its armed forces to subdue him, which eventually thwarted Achaean League tactics. The Romans also thwarted related determinations instigated by the Seleucid emperor Antiochus III. However, Rome never opted to seize the eastern Mediterranean intentionally in both cases (Cole & Symes, 2011).
About the year 1000, the Europe’s economy and landscape transformed with the introduction of new agricultural technologies as well as new social alliances. The reconstruction of cities and trade brought about new opportunities for development. However, the advancements, at the same time triggered the devolution of political supremacy, which resulted in the forceful rule of nobles who could gather both human and substantial resources in the expense of other Romans (Cole & Symes, 2011). In the meantime, a revolutionizing drive within the Church amplified the power of the papacy, which made an effort of proclaiming its sovereignty over irreligious leaders and controlling violence by aiming it against Rome’s neighbors. Christianity served as the main religion in the Roman Empire. Constantine the Great introduced a religious policy, which influenced people to show their loyalty to Christianity as the religion of the state, while integrating the Christian church in the empire. Hence, the royal authorities supported the ordained priests by spreading the church’s beli...