Because of Rome became the greatest empire at that time in the world?

Answer 1

The Roman Empire is not called the ultimate empire. It was one of the hundreds of empires which have existed in history. You probably read something written by someone who thinks that this empire was the ultimate empire. This would be an implausible claim because there have been many mighty empires.

Answer 2

Rome incorporated some Italic peoples into her state and then created alliances with other peoples in Italy, thus creating the biggest pool of military manpower in the Mediterranean.

First Rome grew from a small city to a sizable city which had annexed the surrounding territory. Then 3338 BC it changed from being a city-state to being a commonwealth of several ethnicities. During the First Samnite War (342-40 BC) which Rome fought against the Samnites, Rome was in a military alliance with the other Latin cities which contributed troops in the mentioned war. At the end of this war they demanded to be given Roman citizenship, but Rome refused and they rebelled. They were supported by the Campanians of the city of Capua (near Naples) who had given their city to Rome in exchange for help against a siege by the Samnites and by the Volsci, who had been enemies of Rome. Rome won this war (the Latin War, 304-338 BC). She annexed many of the Latin cities and gave them full Roman citizenship, including the right to vote (civitas otpima jure). She gave partial Roman citizenship, without the right to vote (civitas sine suffragio) to the Campanians of Capua and the Volsci. Thus, these peoples were incorporated into the Roman Republic, which greatly expanded territorially and became a regional entity, rather than a local one. It also and greatly increased her military manpower as Roman citizens, whether they had full or partial citizenship, had to serve in the army. This made Rome strongest regional military power.

As a result of winning two more wars against the Samnites (the Second and Third Samnite War (326-304 BC and 298-290 BC)), Rome gained control over much of central and southern Italy. She used her power to turn the peoples who lived in these areas into allies. These allies retained autonomy in exchange for protection by Rome and supplying Rome with soldiers at their expense. These soldiers formed auxiliary units which supported the Roman legions. The system worked because Rome supported the local ruling elites and because she shared the spoils of war with her allies. This booty could be very large and was as an incentive to fight with the Romans. Rome also seized some territories and established Roman colonies (settlements) at strategic points in these areas to consolidate her control.

At this point Rome's military manpower became the largest in the Mediterranean. The allied auxiliaries provided 60% of Rome's pool of military manpower. Pyrrhus, the king of the Greek kingdom of Epirus, failed in his attempt to conquer southern Italy because of Rome's massive superiority in military manpower (the Pyrrhic War 280-275 BC). Part of the strategy of Hannibal (the Carthaginian general) when he invaded Italy (in the Second Punic War 218-201 BC) was to win over Rome's allies to weaken her militarily. He failed to win over enough of them and this greatly contributed to his defeat. By winning this war, Rome started to expand beyond Italy.

Answer 3

Rome was considered an empire because it met the criteria of an empire. An empire, according to the dictionary, is a major political unit having territory or territories under a single sovereign authority. As soon as Rome expanded into Italy, it became an empire.

Answer 4

The Battle of Zama