Roman Superiority

The Roman Empire was an absolute dominant power of the entire ancient European peninsula, with its colonies ranging from Britain to East Persia and then encompassing the entire Northern Africa. It represents the famous achievement of the Roman rule, highlighting the physical superiority held through the skill and size of their army, and their architectural and engineering inventions that are still in use today. However, the Roman society also questioned the behaviour of mankind, signifying their inferiority in morals and ethics, depicted through the forms of punishment held in the Colosseum and the removal of religious leaders such as the Druids, during 0-100AD.

The Roman military depicted the superiority of the Roman Empire through their ability to colonise, and the strength, skill and size of the army. The Roman army formed into a superlative fighting machine that conquered much of the ancient world. During 0-100AD, according to historian Tacitus, there were 25 legions, with each legion consisting of approximately 6000 men who were configured into the best military structure of the ancient time. The Roman Empire also grew to such a great extend mostly because of the skills and strength of these soldiers. Each soldier carried shields made of plywood in the soldiers’ left hands. The Romans also invented a formation known as “the tortoise” wherein the soldiers learned to lock their shields together, ultimately making for a protective barrier against the enemies' arrows and stones. Overall, the Roman Empire was able to colonize so much areas of the known world mainly because of the skill and size of it’s army, who was far more superior than any other empire during it’s time.

Moreover, Romans were superior and famous for their advancement in architecture and engineering. The most common building style before the Roman invention was the post and lintel, which was limited in the weight it could carry and therefore restricting the height of the building. However, Roman architects and engineers introduced new methods of architecture known as the Columns and Arches. With these methods the Romans were able to construct larger and more intricate temples, which are still in use today, emphasizing the architectural superiority they held during 0-100AD.

Also, the engineers of ancient Rome were the first to build unparalleled networks of roads in the ancient world. Approximately 50,000 miles (80,000 km) of roads spanned the Roman Empire, spreading its culture and immense influence throughout the known world. Engineers were regular members of the Roman army and their expertise in roads, forts and bridge building was an invaluable asset unmatched by any other culture for many more years to come. The engineering invention of the roads also provided an opportunity for trade, travel and communication unknown to the rest of the world. The invention of roads immensely enhanced ways of travel and communication and is very much still a major part of our world today, again stressing Roman superiority during 0-100AD.

However, the lack of basic morals and ethics also conveys the inferiority held by the Roman society, evidently shown through the sheer brutality and violence illustrated by the events that took place in the Colosseum. The Colosseum was usually a court of law for the punishment of criminals, which over time became a specialised form of entertainment for the Romans. Crucifixion, being burnt alive and exposure to wild beasts and animals were established as forms of execution for prisoners. Prisoners, who were condemned to death, consisting of arsonists, Christians, foreign slaves, captives, and prisoners of war were exposed to lions and tigers that were trained and encouraged to attack on sight. Usually prisoners were restrained or trapped somehow and had pieces of meat strapped to their bodies to make them more appetizing to the savage animals.

A source extract from Suetonius quotes “No Emperor could not have been less of a robber than Titus…Nor had any predecessor ever displayed such generosity…Titus provided a most lavish gladiatorial show” which enthusiastically praises the Emperor Titus for such a ‘gift’ to the people of Rome, yet again conveying the morally inferior society of ancient Rome during 0-100AD.

Other times beasts were not used at all and defenceless prisoners were chased around and slaughtered by heavily armed gladiators. Considering there was no attempt at an equal combat, it was usually mass executions presented to the Roman public as a form of entertainment. The Gladiator that murdered was both praised and honoured with trophies and badges and a money prize was usually given as well. After the ‘show’ was finished, the bodies were simply dragged away by slaves and new sand was spread and raked and ready for the next ‘performance’.

Contemporary historian of the time, Cicero, approves of the events that took place in the Colosseum, claiming that they were actually beneficial to the Roman society. The mentalities of the Roman people was both inspired and confident because of these very events, arguing that if a simple slave could fight back and show courage, imagine what a superior, higher-class Roman could accomplish. Also Cicero states that because the Roman society was experiencing brutal and violent invasions, the events held at the Colosseum were made to desensitize the public as forms to justify the means of colonisation.

Another example of moral inferiority held by the Romans can be seen through the violent slaughtering of religious leaders, in particular the Druids. The Romans felt intimated by the amount of power held by the Druids across Britain, and felt the only way to contain the superiority of power was to remove them. In 60AD Roman general Paulinus ordered two of his most trusted Legionnaires to the isle of Anglesey to destroy the centre of the Druids; hoping that if the main circle was shattered, then Druids in outlying areas would eventually die out. Thousands of Roman soldiers were ordered to murder and massacre the Druid people, making sure their religious and sacred groves burnt down to the floor along side them. The annihilation of their priesthood was an act of violent brutality by the Romans that reverberated throughout the British tribes, which became the underlying reason for British rebellion, seen through that of Boudicca.

In conclusion, the Roman society was superior in skill, size and structure of their military which was a major influence in their ability to colonise and enclose power. Also, they were more advanced in architecture and engineering, building new inventions such as the columns, arcs and roads which are still used in the contemporary world. However, the violent and brutal society of ancient Rome also signifies them as morally and ethically inferior people. This is evident through the vicious events that occurred in the Colosseum during 0-100AD which was widely encouraged and used as a form of entertainment. Furthermore, the removal and annihilation of religious leaders known as the Druids additionally signifies the morally and ethically inferior society of Rome.