Augustus Caesar Imperialism

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It is often believed that the Romans did not achieve empire until there were emperors in the government. However, the transformation to imperialism began when the Roman Republic began to turn to places outside of Rome itself, sparking the transformation of the Republic into the empire. The rise of the Roman Empire transpired not due to an offensive move, but rather a defensive strategy. Even though Augustus Caesar was the first emperor, imperialism in Rome began before there was an emperor because the Romans gained control of much land and were successful due to the prestigious Roman army.
Expansion began after a tribe known as the Gauls moved into the city of Rome. The Gallic Invasion was the last time Rome was invaded for nearly 800 years. …show more content…

An effort to overtake Carthage was a decision that almost led to the collapse of expansion. The Carthaginian commander Hannibal was extremely close to dominating the army by using Roman tactics. The near victory by Hannibal gained him much respect from the Romans. While the Romans respected those people they took over, that respect was not often reciprocated. After the Second Punic War, the Romans sent out a warning to other potential enemies. Roman forces attempted to move the city inland and the Carthaginians refused causing the Third Punic War. After besieging the city, the Romans were not done with the Carthaginians. The Romans insisted on filling their soil with salt, preventing anything from growing. The enslaved Carthaginians numbered around 55,000 after the Third Punic War and the treatment of these slaves varied …show more content…

Julius Caesar was then stabbed 27 times to his death and in his will adopted his great nephew, Octavius, and all of Caesar’s inheritance went to him. Octavius then tried to “restore” the Roman Republic, but instead become the first emperor of Rome under the name of Augustus. However it is known that Rome had already been an empire for several years. Lands that were conquered by Rome were all under Roman rule and therefore it is known that Rome was in fact imperialistic much before the first emperor took

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