Imperialism Essay -- History Rome Papers

Imperialism "Imperialism - the policy, practice, or advocacy of extending the power and dominion of a nation especially by direct territorial acquisitions or by gaining indirect control over the political or economic life of other areas; broadly: the extension or imposition of power, authority, or influence" According to Webster's dictionary's definition of "imperialism", a nation is not truly imperialistic until it has controlled another territory through political or economic aspects or directly annexed the land. There were many steps in the history of Rome, which lead her down the road of becoming an imperialistic nation. Rome's dealings with the Mamertines, Hiero, and Carthage in Sicily around 264 BC would lead to the First Punic War, and thus lead Rome down the path of Imperialism. The Romans actions in that war were in fact not Imperialistic at all, but in the wars that would ensue with Carthage Rome would begin to develop a sense that Rome was the destined ruler of the world (Frank, 238). Not until the Third Punic War had Rome truly committed an act of Imperialism, when she destroyed the kingdom of Carthage for her benefit without a just cause. The confidence Rome gained in herself from the deposing of the greatest kingdom she had known, would open the gates for Roman expansion into the East. As Hiero of Syracuse advanced in an attempt to win back Messana, on the basis that the Carthaginians were protecting the independence of Messana from Hiero, they resurrected a garrison in the city (Boardman et al, 27). The Mamertines, however, did not wish for the type of independence that came in being a Carthaginian protectorate. The Mamertines would come to ask Rome for her protection from both the Carthaginian... ...e, and she was for her era. Often it is difficult to look at Rome’s actions and think how they could possibly act in such a manner, but the problem entails in that an individual will tend to think about their era instead of looking at Rome’s. Rome was an imperialistic state according to the modern day standards we have of imperialism, but from an ancient world perspective she was as just as any state in her era. Bibliography: 1. Boardman et Al. â€Å"The Oxford Illustrated History of the Roman World†; Oxford University Press; New York, NY; 2001. 2. Badian, E. â€Å"Roman Imperialism in the Late Republic†; Cornell University Press; Ithaca, NY; 1968. 3. Richardson, J.S. â€Å"Hispaniae: Spain and the Development of Roman Imperialism 218-82 BC†; Cambridge University Press; New York, NY; 1986. 4. Frank, Tenney â€Å"Roman Imperialism†; The MacMillan Company; New York, NY; 1914. Imperialism Essay -- History Rome Papers Imperialism "Imperialism - the policy, practice, or advocacy of extending the power and dominion of a nation especially by direct territorial acquisitions or by gaining indirect control over the political or economic life of other areas; broadly: the extension or imposition of power, authority, or influence" According to Webster's dictionary's definition of "imperialism", a nation is not truly imperialistic until it has controlled another territory through political or economic aspects or directly annexed the land. There were many steps in the history of Rome, which lead her down the road of becoming an imperialistic nation. Rome's dealings with the Mamertines, Hiero, and Carthage in Sicily around 264 BC would lead to the First Punic War, and thus lead Rome down the path of Imperialism. The Romans actions in that war were in fact not Imperialistic at all, but in the wars that would ensue with Carthage Rome would begin to develop a sense that Rome was the destined ruler of the world (Frank, 238). Not until the Third Punic War had Rome truly committed an act of Imperialism, when she destroyed the kingdom of Carthage for her benefit without a just cause. The confidence Rome gained in herself from the deposing of the greatest kingdom she had known, would open the gates for Roman expansion into the East. As Hiero of Syracuse advanced in an attempt to win back Messana, on the basis that the Carthaginians were protecting the independence of Messana from Hiero, they resurrected a garrison in the city (Boardman et al, 27). The Mamertines, however, did not wish for the type of independence that came in being a Carthaginian protectorate. The Mamertines would come to ask Rome for her protection from both the Carthaginian... ...e, and she was for her era. Often it is difficult to look at Rome’s actions and think how they could possibly act in such a manner, but the problem entails in that an individual will tend to think about their era instead of looking at Rome’s. Rome was an imperialistic state according to the modern day standards we have of imperialism, but from an ancient world perspective she was as just as any state in her era. Bibliography: 1. Boardman et Al. â€Å"The Oxford Illustrated History of the Roman World†; Oxford University Press; New York, NY; 2001. 2. Badian, E. â€Å"Roman Imperialism in the Late Republic†; Cornell University Press; Ithaca, NY; 1968. 3. Richardson, J.S. â€Å"Hispaniae: Spain and the Development of Roman Imperialism 218-82 BC†; Cambridge University Press; New York, NY; 1986. 4. Frank, Tenney â€Å"Roman Imperialism†; The MacMillan Company; New York, NY; 1914.