The Roman Empire Is Probably The Most Powerful Of The Four World Empires That Existed

The Roman Empire is probably the most powerful of the four world empires that existed. It had a greatly diverse cultural background which collaborated with the rise of the empire. However, the history of the Roman civilization dates long before the ascending of the empire. Rome was a mainly a pagan civilization. This came to happen because of it overthrew the empire previously dominant, Greece. This can be noticed by the similarities between the Roman and Greek religion. Likewise, pagan traditions that started with Babylon passed on to Medo-Persia, which was conquered by Alexander the Great. Legend holds that two orphan, twin boys, Romulus and Remus, founded Rome in 753 BC. They were the grandchildren of Numitor, who, with his brother Amilius, fled Troy. Numitor and Amilius inherited the Albalonga territory, the original area of Rome, which was founded by their 10-generation ancestor Aeneas, a Trojan war hero. Amilius, being richer and more powerful, self declared the king of Albalonga. In fear of being overthrown by future generations, Amilius forced Numitor’s daughter, Rhea Sylvia, to become a Vesta-declared virgin. According to the mythology, Rhea Sylvia was raped by Mars, the god of war. She then bore Romulus and Remus. Enrages, Amilius buried Rhea Sylvia alive. The twins were driven to the wilderness where they were raided by a she-wolf. As they grew up and unveiled the story of their family, they overthrew Amilius and crowned their grandfather king. Romulus and Remus decided to found their own city, and in this process, due to constant arguing, Romulus came to slay his brother.

REFERENCES

Primary references • •

around 10 Livy (The Early History of Rome) around 100 Plutarch (Lives of Romulus, Numa Pompilius, Camillus)

Secondary references • • • •

around 40 BC Cicero (The Republic VI, 22: Scipio's Dream) around 20 Dionysius of Halicarnassus (L. 2, Roman History (Book I)) around 100 Florus (Book I, I) around 200 Dio Cassius