Expert: Maria - 9/16/2008

Question
If Rome had flaws, was Rome a great empire?

Do you know the time in which http://killeenroos.com/1/Romefall.htm happened  

Answer
Hello,

First of all the Roman  empire, centred at the city of Rome (founded in 753 B.C.) and  lasted until 476 AD,  was certainly a great empire and  one of the most extensive Western civilization of ancient times as it, created by the conquering army, extended through most of Europe , and into Africa and Asia.

In fact at its greatest extent the Roman empire embraced Italy, France, Belgium, Greece, Spain, Portugal, England, Western Germany, Austria,  Switzerland, Hungary, former Yugoslavia, Albania, Bulgaria, Romania , Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Turkey, Armenia, Syria, Iraq, Israel, Palestine , Arabia.


The Roman Empire  was known for its strongly centralized government, for its legions which were a highly organized and disciplined fighting machine, for massive public works, such as roads e.g., which helped maintain its power and efficiency, for its culture, and finally for its  wealth and its cleverness at keeping united  peoples of different languages, cultures and faiths.

Anyway, like all empires or all the great powers of the world, Rome too began having many flaws [as you have read at the site you mention -which however  has drawn on “Decline and Fall of Roman Empire“ by  Edward Gibson-] and began to decline and finally  fell in 476 AD, though we can say that what really fell was the military and economic power of the Roman Empire, while what survived was its culture, that is still today  the most important background of our Western Society.
In fact some features of Roman culture  survive  mostly  in the field of jurisprudence, engineering, art, literature, language, architecture, road network and  city planning.

To conclude, Rome was a great empire not only for its extension, but also for its civilization whose remnants survive still today in all the territories conquered and ruled by the Romans.

Best regards,
Maria