Compare And Contrast The Achievements Of The Roman Empire

The achievements of the Roman Empire are numerous from its expansive size to its ability to maintain order with such a diverse population but its greatest achievements were things that could rival what we have today. From a trade network that was able to not only support the empire but bring the people of it closer to one another and an entertainment industry that could be considered to be on par with today’s football leagues, to something we take for granted every day, the aqueducts that supplied running water to the cities.
As vast as the Roman Empire was it would have never survived if it wasn’t for the trade network. It was a way to connect the larger cities in Italy to the furthest provinces in Mesopotamia. In a way, the trade that went on across the empire served as a way to bring every culture together in a similar way that the cultures blend in America today. Instead of being a part of a conquered nation the people in the provinces were a new part of the Roman Empire, they had access to what the people in major cities did, were able to sell their goods throughout the empire, and be a part of something larger. The trade network also allowed the entire nation to prosper. …show more content…
The games became more than just entertainment, they were a political forum that allowed politicians to gain public favor while distracting their people from any disorder in the government. ‘Bread and circus’ was more than just the Roman equivalent to football. The carnage of the gladiatorial fights distracted from the issues in the government and drew the masses together in a centralized location for a time. Like the trade network, they brought people together with common interests that could seem more important than their differences even if just for the duration of the