Surname 1

Student’s Name

Professor’s Name

Course

Date

The Roman Empire Never Fell

The Roman Empire was one of the most extensive political and social structure that has been

historically marked during the civilization of western countries. It was one the most efficacious

empires doing many things that attributed to the sustainability of its people. It can be traced to

have lasted from about 500BCE carrying lots of innovations that made it easier to govern its

people and encourage recreation among the communities within its boundary (Luttwak 218). The

Roman Empire can be considered as one of the most influential civilizations during the recent

time of historical development. A key achievement that they worked and fought for throughout

the era was an enhancement of peace within its territories (Luttwak 219). This would be achieved

by winning a number of battles and expending the community. Although the increase of

population within the empire and the development of Christianity have been considered by many

to have resulted in the fall of the empire, I would defend that the Roman Empire never fell. It

made many achievements that have been copied by many other communities across the world.

Their fight for a peaceful republic would also be achieved irrespective of challenges of losing

some battles. This paper, therefore, provides the historical developments that support the

opposed fact that Roman Empire never fell.

Rome emerged as a city around the sixth century BCE by overthrowing the monarchy

and clearing the path for the development into a republic. The Roman Republic was met with

opposition from neighboring cities throughout the peninsula (Garnsey and Saller 153). Rome
 Surname 2

was determined to expand their empire throughout the Italian peninsula. As a result, Rome was

engaged in continuous warfare with its neighbors in a mission of conquering its neighbors and

expending its territory. After revolts of Roman colonies and the Latin communities, they

developed the Roman confederation. The creation of the confederation allowed Latin’s and

brother people to become full citizens (Garnsey and Saller 153). This marked the process of

uniting the people of Rome and its closest neighborhoods. Most of the other communities were

made allies as Rome put down many rebellions through unmerciful military persistence. Well-

trained soldiers and democratic equality in society made Rome a grand candidate for powerful

soldiers.

The Roman empire achieved by increasing its population as its objective stated. The high

population at the time of the empire and its leadership marks that indeed the Roman Empire

never fell. In the beginning, before the republic was formed, Rome had some few thousands of

people. The actual number before the republic would easily be determined because the Roman

census did not include women and children in determining the total number of people living in

the city. However, by 6th century BCE when the monarchy had been fought out, the population

had grown to about 30,000 men without including children and women. During the imperial

period, the population in Rome increased to 1 million residents. Historical sources also provide

that by 28 BCE, the empire had grown to 4063000 inhabitants, which increased to 4937000

people in 14 CE (Garnsey and Saller 155).

The infrastructural development can also depict the success of Roman Empire. As quoted by

Augustus, the emperor who served between 27 BCE and 14 BCE, the city’s structures were

initially made of clay but would later be changed into marble during the imperial period

(Wasson). From a small city located at the western edge of Italy, Rome grew to include the
 Surname 3

territory from the North Sea and the areas around the Mediterranean Sea. The conducive

environment created by the potential leaders of the empire made Rome to became a magnet for

artists and merchants. The community would find a source of income by carrying out artistic

works, which have remained historical materials within the area (Wasson). The development of

skilled artistic men and merchants can depict that indeed Roman Empire never fell.

The victory of the Roman soldiers against the Samnites in the fourth century can also

confirm that indeed the Roman Empire never fell. The war came amid after the invasion of the

Gauls from the north in 390 BCE, which led to the near fall of the city (Garnsey and Saller 157).

However, the Romans were managed to rebuild and maintain their walls as the fight to conquer

the peninsula continued. The Samnites who came from the southeastern part of Rome captured

the city of Capua in Campania. Following the treaty that the citizens of Capua had signed with

the people of Rome, the former had the confidence to seek help from the Roman Empire. Rome

broke into war with the people of Samnites, a war that the Romans won in the year 341 BCE

(Garnsey and Saller 157). Although the wars would not end immediately, the Romans managed

to gain control of Campania, which was a rescue to the settlers. Such a winning battle would

confirm that the Roman Empire never failed to achieve its objectives.

The fight towards conquering the island of Sicily can also confirm that indeed the Roman

Empire never fell. Since there was an increase in revenue from the conquest of the peninsula, the

Romans turned their focus towards the southern part and across the Mediterranean Sea up to

Carthage City. The period between 264 BCE and 146 BCE was marked by the battle between the

people of Carthage and the Romans in the fight for Sicily island (Wasson). The wars commenced

softly when the Roman soldiers pulled into an affair with the people of the Sicilian city of

Messina. The administration of the Roman Empire was not happy with the presence of Carthage
 Surname 4

on the Sicily island following the treaty they had made with Messina. The war would begin

when the Romans reacted to the appeal by Messina to drive away the invaders who did not have

the foundation in their land (Wasson). The war went into the sea, and the warriors used a number

of ships to attack each other. The Carthage would later be defeated in 241 BCE when they sued

for peace (Wasson). The Roman Empire confirmed that they never fall by totally conquering the

island of Sicily, a province outside the peninsula. They became more powerful within the regions

around the Mediterranean Sea and could conquer many areas at their pleasures.

The success of Roman Empire would be depicted in their cultural growth and development with

was marked by the strengthened Christian religion, education, and family (Garnsey and Saller

158). Such achievements would be possible due to their ability to restore in many parts of the

territory. Many heroic generals passed through Rome’s prestigious leadership conquering lands

and defeating many regions such as the Persians, Carthaginians, and Spartans. The Punic wars

were defining times for Rome’s military bringing the Roman army’s prestige to its height. Under

the command of Scipio, Romans eventually defeated Hannibal hence providing a space for their

cultural growth. The political growth was marked by the superiority of technology, a gadget that

aided the military towards achieving their conquering successes (Garnsey and Saller 159).

In conclusion, the success of the Roman Empire has been depicted by the number of

regions that they conquered using their able military. The battles they won and the fight towards

restoring peace within the area are true reflections that indeed the Roman Empire never fell.

Although there are some battles that they lost, the cultural foundation that they instituted like

Christianity takes shape in almost all parts of the world, which signifies that they never fell.

Works Cited
 Surname 5

Garnsey, Peter, and Richard Saller. The Roman Empire: economy, society and culture. Univ of

California Press, 2014.

Luttwak, Edward N. The Grand Strategy of the Roman Empire: From the First Century CE to

the Third. JHU Press, 2016.

Wasson, Donald L. “The Extent of the Roman Empire”. Ancient History, Jan. 2016,

https://www.ancient.eu/article/851/the-extent-of-the-roman-empire/. Accessed 30 Nov.

2017.