Lesson 5: Keeping the Roman Empire

In Lesson 4 you learned that Rome acquired an empire through its superior military strength. It took more than a strong army to keep this empire together, though.

To hold onto her empire, Rome had to make her subjects happy. Happy subjects would be loyal and would not rebel.

Achieving this was difficult. After all, Rome had conquered these people—oftentimes in bloody, drawn-out wars— and they were still resentful. Rome's solution was to give her subjects things that would make their lives better. One example was citizenship. Everyone in the countries that Rome conquered (except slaves) became Roman citizens. These people now enjoyed the safety and security provided by Roman laws. There were many other advantages to Roman citizenship as well.

Rome also allowed her subjects to keep their customs and, to a certain extent, govern themselves. Roman roads, built to facilitate the passage of troops, were also open to everyone in the empire. People could travel wherever they wished and could transport goods to markets both near and far. Businesses prospered. The Romans also constructed aqueducts, amphitheatres, public baths, and other buildings across their empire. These benefitted everyone.

Not everything was rosy, though. Being part of the Roman Empire meant the loss of certain freedoms. Some people were sold into slavery and lost everything. Others had their property seized and were forced off their lands. Languages and cultures disappeared under Roman rule as well. Many nations also had to pay money to Rome (called an imdemnity) to cover the cost of the war they had fought against Rome.

Check Your Knowledge Activity 5:
The Roman Empire: Membership Has Its Benefits

Send In Activity 5:
Write a Roman Decree