belly, implying that its citizens had a knack for warfare, which they would prove again

and again. Early in Rome's history, the city was conquered by the Etruscans, the most

notable civilization in Italy before Rome's rise to power. The Etruscans, who would

influence Roman civilization, had migrated to Italy from Asia Minor, probably in the 12th

century BC. Their distant past is a mystery, because their language has no relationship to

any other group of languages. Their Italian homeland, Etruria, consisted of a loose

confederation of city-states. They were noted for their metalworking and their fine

pottery. The Etruscans were at the height of their power during the 6th century BC. By

500 BC their civilization was in decline, and at about that time the Romans rose up and

claimed power in their city, establishing a republic.

A patrician class initially ruled Rome, but over time the Plebs, or common people,

gained influence. As late as 390 BC, when Greece and Persia were great powers in the

world, Rome was still so weak that it was sacked by the Gauls. However, during the 4th

the following year Pompey received as his province the two Spains, with Africa, while

where he could gain glory by military conquests, and from which he could watch every

Carthaginians were forced to withdraw, and Rome chased them home to Africa. In 202

Pharsalus. Pompey was killed soon after in Egypt, but the Pompeian cause struggled on

After the Battle of Actium in 31 BC and the subsequent suicide of both Antony

grandnephew, the youthful Octavian, later Emperor Augustus, to form the second

Caesar's victory, unlike those of the other generals who had marched on Rome,

undisputed ruler of the entire Roman Empire. In spite of the series of disastrous civil

war against Mithridates. Meanwhile his rival Gaius Julius Caesar rose to prominence,

tendencies, would last long after his death.

Pompey the Great, attempted to seize Sicily for himself and was deprived of his province

Some common words found in the essay are:
Library Alexandria, Rubicon River, Asia Minor, Tullius Cicero, Roman Empire, Syria Egypt, Caesar Senate, Italy Roman, Licinius Crassus, Sextus Pompeius, roman empire, 49 bc, ancient roman empire, gaius julius caesar, licinius crassus, golden age, asia minor, cleopatra queen, marcus licinius, sextus pompeius, marcus licinius crassus, cleopatra queen egypt, gaius cassius, military command,
Approximate Word count = 1575
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)