Growth of the Roman Empire


This interactive map details the expansion of the Roman Republic and Empire. The Roman Republic was created in 509 BCE, and lasted until 27 BCE, when the reign of Augustus began. During the period of the Republic, territorial gains were made throughout Italy, parts of Spain, and surrounding Carthage in northern Africa. After the defeat of Carthage in the Punic Wars, Rome became involved in many other localized wars, and sections of Greece and Anatolia came under Roman influence. Under the military leadership of Julius Caesar, Rome's imperial expansion reached its height. Caesar carried out many successful campaigns in Britain and Gaul, and, after his successes throughout Roman territory, he became heavily involved with Roman politics. Concerned with many issues of reform and centralization, he appointed himself dictator for life. His assassination led to a period of civil wars until 27 BCE. His successor, Caesar Augustus, came to power, and the Roman Republic became the Roman Empire. By the 2nd century CE, the empire encompassed the entire Mediterranean region, parts of the Middle East, Gaul, and the majority of Britain.

1.			Examine the map closely. What factors account for the expansion of the Roman Republic?
2.			Notice the location of the Roman roads. What was the importance of these roads for the empire? What can we learn about the empire based on their geographic locations?
3.			The larger the Republic grew, the more fragmented the political system became. What factors would account for the problems faced by the Republic due to territorial gains? What other societies from previous chapters faced similar problems?
4.			The Roman Empire was able to expand far more than any other previous empire. What factors account for this success? What technologies and innovations played major roles in this expansion?