Though when thinking of Ancient Rome one remembers the legacy of its landlocked plegions, its often overlooked navy is the true epitome of Rome’s core characteristics and features. The navy exemplifies Rome’s tolerance for adversity and uncertainty, it demonstrates the fierce loyalty to the state, the ability to take and build off of others’ ideas and the extreme iron discipline and effectiveness of its sailors and citizens.
Nations, no matter how new or old, large or small, will always face many tough decisions, and in those moments, the people and their leaders decide what type of country they are: a strong wise nation or a weak and foolish one. Rome has made many of these critical choices and has adapted to many different situations, which …show more content…
Most roman sailors and crewmen were former slaves and non-citizens, but if they completed their twenty six to twenty eight years of service, often the emperor would grant them citizenship. Because roman citizenship was so sought after and had many benefits, it was natural for these sailors to eagerly fight for Rome and become some of the most patriotic men in the empire. (Dando-Collins, Ch. XXIX) Many of the crews would also help maintain peace alongside the vigiles in local towns and cities, frequently acting as firefighters, expressing their devotion and hard working attitude. (Dando-Collins, Ch. …show more content…
Despite maintaining small standing navies in times of peace, Rome had a talent for building up huge numbers of ships and recruiting many sailors in times of peril, in part due to its intelligent generals and the rigorous work of its men. During 70-68 BC a huge quantity of Cicilian pirates were terrorising the eastern half of the mediterranean. The senate then authorized Pompey to gather a fleet of 200 vessels, some from allied states and others freshly built, to crack down on the pirates and rinse the sea in a very short amount of time. (Collins, p. 273) If not for Rome’s discipline, it would never have become the superpower it was, and the navy would never have stood up to other giants such as Carthage, Egypt and
Nations, no matter how new or old, large or small, will always face many tough decisions, and in those moments, the people and their leaders decide what type of country they are: a strong wise nation or a weak and foolish one. Rome has made many of these critical choices and has adapted to many different situations, which …show more content…
Most roman sailors and crewmen were former slaves and non-citizens, but if they completed their twenty six to twenty eight years of service, often the emperor would grant them citizenship. Because roman citizenship was so sought after and had many benefits, it was natural for these sailors to eagerly fight for Rome and become some of the most patriotic men in the empire. (Dando-Collins, Ch. XXIX) Many of the crews would also help maintain peace alongside the vigiles in local towns and cities, frequently acting as firefighters, expressing their devotion and hard working attitude. (Dando-Collins, Ch. …show more content…
Despite maintaining small standing navies in times of peace, Rome had a talent for building up huge numbers of ships and recruiting many sailors in times of peril, in part due to its intelligent generals and the rigorous work of its men. During 70-68 BC a huge quantity of Cicilian pirates were terrorising the eastern half of the mediterranean. The senate then authorized Pompey to gather a fleet of 200 vessels, some from allied states and others freshly built, to crack down on the pirates and rinse the sea in a very short amount of time. (Collins, p. 273) If not for Rome’s discipline, it would never have become the superpower it was, and the navy would never have stood up to other giants such as Carthage, Egypt and