The renowned Roman Empire is one that had been expanding its power since the first century B.C., reaching from the Italian peninsula all the way to the entire Mediterranean world and north into Europe. This effort was anything but easy, and it required a great deal of hard work on the part of the Romans to continuously change and alter their lifestyles in order to survive. One method in which they did this was by adapting to their geography. Their adaptations took on various forms, including conquering other lands, discovering new food sources, and even cultural diffusion. However, two distinct and important ways they adjusted to their surroundings were using the bodies of water around them to their benefit and employing the usage of technology
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Documents 3 and 4 are great evidence of this. For instance, the Map of Roman Roads from A.D. 14 depicts the areas that the Roman Empire ruled over, as well as the roads in which they used to travel. (Document 3) These roads extend as far south as Memphis, Egypt and as far north as London. There are very few parts of the empire that are connected by roads, including the regions south of Memphis and in between the cities of Byzantium and Milan. The map shows how the Romans were able to adapt to the different and changing terrains around them in order to push further out and extend the reach of their empire. The documents entitled Roman Roads and Cross-Section of a Roman Road also provide information that backs up the fact that Rome was able to adjust to their surroundings. The first is an excerpt that explains how Romans realized the need to improve roads, which were previously just mud and grass tracks. (Document 4A) They wanted to build roads in order to travel quickly to control newly conquered peoples and also so that orders, supplies, and troops could be sent quickly, allowing for increased trade and taxes. They used newly invented tools and technology, such as the groma, to straighten bad roads so that they lined up with the horizon. This made it easier for them to travel and trade. The latter document is a labeled
Documents 3 and 4 are great evidence of this. For instance, the Map of Roman Roads from A.D. 14 depicts the areas that the Roman Empire ruled over, as well as the roads in which they used to travel. (Document 3) These roads extend as far south as Memphis, Egypt and as far north as London. There are very few parts of the empire that are connected by roads, including the regions south of Memphis and in between the cities of Byzantium and Milan. The map shows how the Romans were able to adapt to the different and changing terrains around them in order to push further out and extend the reach of their empire. The documents entitled Roman Roads and Cross-Section of a Roman Road also provide information that backs up the fact that Rome was able to adjust to their surroundings. The first is an excerpt that explains how Romans realized the need to improve roads, which were previously just mud and grass tracks. (Document 4A) They wanted to build roads in order to travel quickly to control newly conquered peoples and also so that orders, supplies, and troops could be sent quickly, allowing for increased trade and taxes. They used newly invented tools and technology, such as the groma, to straighten bad roads so that they lined up with the horizon. This made it easier for them to travel and trade. The latter document is a labeled