More than two thousand years ago, a village beside the Tiber River grew into one of the greatest empires in history. At its height, Rome ruled millions of people on three continents. Many of the roads we travel, the laws we obey, and even some of the words we speak can be traced to ancient Rome. Few civilizations have shaped the modern world more than the Romans.
Natural Advantages
Through force, diplomacy, and careful planning, Rome gradually conquered almost the entire Italian peninsula by 265 BCE. The city’s location gave it natural advantages. Rome stood on the banks of the Tiber River about fifteen miles inland from the sea. A shallow crossing, or ford, made Rome an important trading center while protecting it from large seagoing ships. Experienced Roman sailors could still navigate the river in smaller vessels. Seven hills surrounded Rome. They made it harder for invaders to reach the city and provided lookout points. Nearby farmland, forests, and stone quarries supplied the food and building materials to support a growing population and its armies.
Romulus and Remus
Archaeological evidence suggests people first settled along the Tiber River around 1500 BCE, but the origins of Rome are steeped in myth and legend. Roman tradition traces the founding of Rome to twin brothers named Romulus and Remus. Fearing the twins would one day seize his throne, a king ordered them placed in a basket and set adrift on the Tiber. Instead of drowning, the brothers were rescued by a she-wolf, who nursed them until a shepherd found and raised them.
Years later, Romulus and Remus decided to build a city along the Tiber, but the brothers could not agree on its location. Signs from the heavens convinced each brother to establish separate cities, and on April 21, 753 BCE, Romulus completed the wall around his city. Remus mocked the wall by leaping over it, enraging his brother. Romulus killed Remus, and the city took its name from its founder.
Rome’s Secret to Success
As Rome expanded across the Italian peninsula, it was almost constantly at war with neighboring cities. In the ancient world, victorious armies often destroyed conquered cities and killed or enslaved their inhabitants. The Romans usually chose a different path. Rome often allowed conquered subjects to keep their homes, practice their religion, and eventually share many of the rights of Roman citizenship. This policy helped turn former enemies into loyal allies.
Instead of demanding tribute from the Italian peoples it conquered, Rome required its new allies to provide soldiers for the army. This gave the republic a seemingly endless supply of manpower to fuel its future conquests.
The Roman army built roads that linked conquered cities to the rest of the republic, increasing trade and prosperity. Soldiers who returned home after military service carried Roman customs and traditions with them. Latin, the language spoken around Rome, gradually spread across the Italian peninsula.
A Pyrrhic Victory
Rome’s vast supply of soldiers allowed it to continue fighting despite tremendous losses. In 279 BCE, King Pyrrhus of Epirus defeated the Romans in two battles. Although Rome suffered heavier casualties, Pyrrhus’s smaller army could not replace its losses. Rome could. Today, a Pyrrhic victory is a victory that comes at such a great cost that it feels like a defeat. For example, if your favorite team reaches the playoffs but loses two star players to season-ending injuries in the deciding game, that win is a Pyrrhic victory.
A New Rival
By 265 BCE, Rome had united most of what is now Italy. Across the Mediterranean Sea stood another rising power: Carthage. Their struggle for control of the western Mediterranean would change the course of history.
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Mr. Donn has an excellent website that includes a section on Ancient Rome.