Consistent, persistent aggression and expansion where such
policies were beneficial to Rome, with little or no regard
for their effects on Roman associates, allies, friends or
enemies. Studied ruthlessness.
5. Rewarding Rome's friends, allies and associates with economic,
political and cultural advantages. Implacably punishing
and where necessary exterminating Rome's persistent
enemies.
6. Wide tolerance of local cultural variation in matters that
did not conflict with the major principles and practices of
Rome's central authority.
7. Taking defeats in their stride, paying the price, and recovering
lost momentum. Again advancing along avenues
which led to Roman success and aggrandizement.
8. Indomitable persistence in the pursuit of major objectives.
9. After the reigns of Julius Caesar and Augustus, concentrating
power in a single person and his chosen brain trust,
using that power to further aggrandize the Roman Empire
and Roman Civilization.
This category is not complete. It aims to answer the basic question: In
a situation where a thousand contestants entered the knock-down and
drag-out struggle, first for survival and then for supremacy, what
qualities or qualifications enabled Romans to win the laurel crown of
victory?
Paralleling the up-building forces that established Roman supremacy were
counter-forces which undermined and eventually destroyed the Roman
Empire and Roman civilization:
1.
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