In what time period do you think the Romans accomplished the most?

Early Empire (0 A.D. to 120)-Augustus brings peace to Rome, period of immense building projects and great prosperity.

Early Republic (Foundation of Republic to end of Punic Wars)-conquest of Italy, destruction of Carthage.

Late Republic (Completion of Punic Wars to death of Caesar)-
conquest of greece, destruction of the Selucid empire by Pompey, many conquests in this period, but political turmoil in Rome.

Late Empire (Death of Marcus Aurelius to the fall of Western Empire)-barbarian attacks, numerous incompetent emperors, (with exceptions such as Aurelian).

All credit for this thread goes to my friend Alex. Thanks.:)

I would have to say the time between the rule of Octavian and Hadrian. The empire was at its height, few political probs and a generally peaceful population. The Romans perhaps achieved their best in Engineering, Architecture and Sculpture at this time:goodjob:

I would say that the period when Rome accomplished the most was in the Early Republic. From a small city on the Tibur, they conquered all of Italy, through amazing diplomacy and excellent generalship (Camillus). They also destroyed the most powerful empire in the western mediterranean, the Carthaginians. However, the Early Empire does win in terms of engineering, architecture, and intellectual achievment.

i agree, but during the 5 emperors the political environment was unstable and Volatile. it frequently could have resulted in civil war;)

I'd have to say the 150 years or so after octavian took over called the "Pax Romana".

In the early empire the Romans were already well established, while in the early republic the Romans were surrounded by powerful enemies such as Tarentum, the Estruscan cities (Veii), and the Carthaginians. The conquest of Italy was an amazing feat. Whenever the Romans conquered new territory, they sent settlers to the territory to establish colonies near important roads, trade routes, or fortresses. This practice allowed them to divide their enemies. Also, if a revolt ever took place, their colonies would prevent the rebellion from capturing important territory and spreading to surrounding cities. The effectiveness of this system was shown in the Italian revolt after the Carthaginian wars. When almost three quarters of Italian cities were in arms against Rome, the skillfully placed colonies allowed the smaller Roman forces to completely crush the rebellion.

I'd say the Early Republic also. Practically the whole foundation of their culture appeared at this time as well as immensly multiplying their territorial holdings.

Either Pax Romana or the Punic wars still in my opinions. The strategic positioning in the early republic was however, very impressive.

Building a empire is not as hard as maintaining it.

I agree with FAL about the Pax Romana and the Punic Wars, but I would have to throw in Nero's reign too, and of course Justinian near the end.

Originally posted by monkeyman116
I agree with FAL about the Pax Romana and the Punic Wars, but I would have to throw in Nero's reign too, and of course Justinian near the end.
Justinian was emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire. He ruled after the fall of Rome and although he considered himself the true succesor of the Caesars, I'm not sure if he could really be counted as 'roman', since the Byzantine empire was begining to develop it's own identity.

Byzantium was culturally Greek but the Byzantines were Rome's true successors in spirit and in fact. IMHO of course.

I'd have to say the Late Republic, perhaps bleeding into Octavian's reign. Yes, things were coming apart at the seams but the Late Republic saw the largest expansion of territory and some of the rawest exhibitions of Roman power. Culture is a little more difficult to pinpoint because the Romans had a weird habit of making brilliant contributions to engineering, architechture, art, etc. at times when politically things weren't going so well. Some of the greatest writers for instance lived in the worst times.

The early Flavian dynasty. The coup of Vespasian and Mucianus is a masterstroke, especially how thwy dealt with other potential troublemakers, Antoninus Primus for example. Note that they managed to perform an armed revolution without massive bloodshed!

Still, the dangerous revolt in Judeéa was put down, the eastern and northern borders were secured, a rebellion i Gallia was surpressed and order was restored to the entire realm.

Also, Vespasian seems to have had a great sence of humour! And Mucianus seems to have been the coolest snob around!

Personally I will say that udner TrajanRome wasat it's hgihest, but during the Early Empire and under Augustus, Rome had architectal, military, political and cultural Golden Age, soemthing never, or almost never combined in Roman history.