The Comparative Strength Of Rome

Rome, considered by most the greatest empire of the ancient world, stretched from modern day England to Palestine and was more successful than all previous Empires. Rome's government, military, economic and civic structures were all superior to those of their predecessors.

The Sumerians were the first people to build civilization and attempt empire in the western world. Like Rome, they had a governmental structure, conducted military operations to expand and ensure trade, and build a lasting civic structure. The Sumerians, however, were not as effective as the Romans in most respects. Rome had a strong central government; the Emperor was absolute ruler. The Sumerians had a weak form of government, the Kings of each city often warring and plotting against each other, wasting resources and weakening the empire from the inside. This ineffective government made far off conquest difficult and led to far less expansion than Rome. Sumeria did trade, but with less expansion came less interaction with other peoples. Rome expanded and traded with people all across the western world. When Sumeria did expand or conquer territory, it would force the rules of the lands to pay tributes, leaving the people angry and unhappy with outside rule. The Romans made sure than conquered people understood that Rome was now firmly in control, but this could be a good thing. As Rome prospered, so too did Roman controlled lands, local rulers (often allowed to remain local rulers) were still working for the benefit of their people while staying loyal to Rome. Although Sumeria did build cities and civic structure, Rome was far more effective. An elaborate bureaucratic s...

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...empire in the ancient world was successful in one way or another, but no empire compared to Rome in the consistent, wide spectrum manor of leadership. Rome's government was the most stable and flexible. Rome's military did lose battles, but consistently won the wars, their well disciplined and determined military grinding down enemy opposition. Rome's trade stretched throughout the empire, making goods from far western Europe to the Middle East. Rome's ability to integrate conquered people was far superior to any others and led to great stability in the empire. The bureaucracy and civic structure made Rome as prosperous as it was stable. The accurate tax collection and road system made the government strong, increased trade, communication and government control. Rome was, for all these reasons, the most successful empire of the ancient world.