Rome from State to Empire

In 264 B.C.; as Rome started expansion, they began conquering neighboring territories. After Rome's victory over one of its neighbors, Rome would either give them citizenry or that area would become one of Rome's allies. Incorporating citizenship in areas of which Rome had defeated was the secret of Rome's success in accomplishing expansion. By 264 B.C., all of Italy was under Roman territory, but this meant further expansion of Rome would lead to direct conflict with the great Mediterranean power of the west, Carthage. This would result in the first Punic war, which would last from 265 to 241 B.C. This was a costly, long, bloody war that Rome would win through persistence. …