1. The Romans themselves considered that they were most distinguished from their neighbors in having superior discipline. In military terms, this worked out to a more balanced, paced, and controlled way of fighting that was far more effective than how the barbarians fought. It was more effective than how other civilized peoples fought, too. Related to their discipline, the tenacity of the Romans in the siege is proverbial. The Romans also were noted for not spending much time sulking after one of their armies was destroyed. They would just raise a new army and continue the war. Rome was not a "military genius" nation like 20th century Germany, but it had something stronger: a calm sense of purpose.
2. It wasn't that bad for the conquered peoples under Roman government--- once the time of conquest was over. There was good law for the time, and protection from other nations. Taxes did not get to be too heavy until around the time of Diocletian and the Parthian crisis.
3. The Romans had excellent engineering skills which they had their legionaries keep busy at, building roads, bridges and aqueducts. This facilitated the strategic movement of their heavy infantry and also made their cities far more livable, and thus, larger.
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
1. The Romans themselves considered that they were most distinguished from their neighbors in having superior discipline. In military terms, this worked out to a more balanced, paced, and controlled way of fighting that was far more effective than how the barbarians fought. It was more effective than how other civilized peoples fought, too. Related to their discipline, the tenacity of the Romans in the siege is proverbial. The Romans also were noted for not spending much time sulking after one of their armies was destroyed. They would just raise a new army and continue the war. Rome was not a "military genius" nation like 20th century Germany, but it had something stronger: a calm sense of purpose.
2. It wasn't that bad for the conquered peoples under Roman government--- once the time of conquest was over. There was good law for the time, and protection from other nations. Taxes did not get to be too heavy until around the time of Diocletian and the Parthian crisis.
3. The Romans had excellent engineering skills which they had their legionaries keep busy at, building roads, bridges and aqueducts. This facilitated the strategic movement of their heavy infantry and also made their cities far more livable, and thus, larger.