Rome faced several challenges while building an empire around the Mediterranean Sea. One challenge was the cost and logistics of maintaining a large military presence to defend and expand their territories. Campaigns could last for months, and the distance from Rome made military operations expensive.
Another challenge was the need for access to seaports for trade. While the Romans built an extensive network of roads, shipping by sea was more cost-effective. Therefore, seaports played a crucial role in facilitating trade.
Furthermore, Rome's conquest of the Mediterranean led to conflicts with other civilizations, particularly Carthage. The Punic Wars, fought between Rome and Carthage, resulted in Rome's annexation of Sicily and increased tensions in the region.
Rome faced significant challenges in building its Mediterranean empire, including high military costs, geographical barriers, trade dependencies, internal governance issues, and political conflicts. These factors shaped the empire's expansion and management. Addressing these challenges was crucial to Rome's success and longevity as a dominant power.
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