Growth of Roman Empire
Economic Engine of Conquering. The Empire of Rome had at its heart an economic engine of conquest. Initial conquests started from neighboring peoples, but as more and more land was conquered, spoils and reparation payments and slave labor from those conquered starting flowing into Rome. Conquered lands also meant ongoing tax revenue for future years. (The Story of All of Us, 2012)
The early armies of Rome were comprised of citizen soldiers. In order to become a Roman soldier, one had to be a Roman citizen and land owner. Citizen-soldiers were absent from their lands for many years at a time. This resulted in large changes in agriculture. Grains started to come from foreign sources more cheaply, which then drove many peasants into cities. Lands were consolidated, bought by the wealthy and turned into estates instead of working farms. (LeGay, 2009) Wealth from continuing conquests created surplus funds which allowed for a professional army that was open to all, not just land owners. For the first time, a lower class worker could achieve "greatness" by becoming a Roman solider. This new professional army was able to deploy for longer amounts of time and at further distances. And these soldiers were trained - after conquering a new land, those same soldiers built roads, aqueducts, and other infrastructure that further the military and trade engines. (LeGay, 2009) Rising wealth in Rome also allowed for specialization and technological advances needed to support such a huge city. It became a city of "firsts": First apartment buildings each up to 5 stories….40,000 of them. First public staff – street cleaners, funeral staff, firemen First postal service First daily newspaper First running water system First central heating system First shopping mall – 4 stories high, 150 shops First landfill site First sewage system – some of which is still in operation today At its peak, the city of Rome was three times more dense that the city of Manhattan today! You can read more about these and other Roman "firsts" on the History Channel's "Rome: Supercity Infographic." Probably the three most important technological advances by the Romans were concrete, the road system and the development and construction of the aqueducts. The effect of this new technology cannot be understated in advancing the size and effect of the Roman Empire. |
Transportation advances made a huge impact in the ability of the empire to grow so large. Rome eventually conquered every country around the
Mediterranean.
BUT this economic and technological engine was also responsible for the Roman Empire's decline.
BUT this economic and technological engine was also responsible for the Roman Empire's decline.