Six of the Roman Empire’s strengths

The Roman Empire was one of the biggest empires ever existed. But how was it possible? Let’s see six of the Roman Empire’s strengths that helped it acquire power.

THE ARMY

One of the most important Roman Empire’s strengths was having a great army. Roman citizens weren’t the only ones that could be part of the Roman army, also Barbarians could. This allowed the Romans to exploit and improve everyone’s skills.

The army was organized into legions, each composed of five thousand soldiers and divided into ten cohorts – units.

Roman legionaries were highly trained and could walk between 20 and 24 miles in 5 hours carrying around 35 kg – food and equipment.

What only few people know is that each legion usually traveled with a group of Roman engineers.

Engineers were responsible for building the Roman Empire’s fort, bridges and roads as well. Roman engineers’ skills were such that some Roman bridges and roads survive to this day.

MAIL SERVICE

Another great idea of the Roman Empire was the implementation of a public mail service: the cursus publicus.

The mail service was divided into Cursus celer and Cursus tardus. The first one was responsible for transporting mails while the second one was responsible for transporting people and goods.

Mails, people and goods were transported by horse or by cart.

Mail men transporting mails by horse could travel 270 km in 24 hours.

RELIGION

The Roman Empire’s strengths continue with their position on religion. Indeed, the Roman Empire never started a war for religious reasons. Moreover, it used to accept many of the deities the conquered cities venerated.

The Romans even built temples in Rome in honor of the most influential new deities.

CITIZENS

The Roman Empire’s strengths concerned citizens too. Indeed, male Roman citizens had several privileges.

These privileges changed according to the period, Romans’ service to the state and Romans’ origins. However, in general male Roman citizens could vote, stand for public office, hold properties, have some taxes benefits, have a legal trial, etc.

Roman citizenship was also used by Romans as a tool of control over conquered cities. Indeed, a minor form of Roman citizenship was granted to colonies and allies.

AQUEDUCTS

An interesting idea the Romans had was to build aqueducts throughout their Empire. In this way they were able to bring water from outside sources into cities. Water was used for fountains, public baths, homes, farms, gardens, etc.

Only in the city of Rome were built 11 aqueducts. And one Roman aqueduct is still in use today in Rome: the Aqua Virgo.

ADOPTION

Adoption was a normal and common procedure in the Roman Empire. However, only boys were commonly adopted, the adoption of girls was much less common. This for a reason. In the Roman Empire inheritance rules demanded a legitimate male heir.

Adoption was quite common among senators and was a practice used also by the Emperor.

What were the most important strengths of the Roman Empire according to you?

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Credits

Original image by azboomer