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If one is to briefly define the term of espionage, it would be described as the planning, the collection, the analysis, and dissemination of information as related to forces, nations, or coalitions of powers other than one’s own in a military or political setting, in peace time or during war. In the context of Ancient Rome, an interesting question arises in terms what role espionage played in its strategy of defense. The nature and needs of espionage in Roman times, in an era long before the technological innovations with which we are familiar, were different from those of our own time. Lacking modern means and tools, the art of intelligence among the Romans depended almost exclusively on the human factor
If one is to briefly define the term of espionage, it would be described as the planning, the collection, the analysis, and dissemination of information as related to forces, nations, or coalitions of powers other than one’s own in a military or political setting, in peace time or during war. In the context of Ancient Rome, an interesting question arises in terms what role espionage played in its strategy of defense.
If one was to briefly define the expression of ‘grand strategy’, it would likely be described as the integration of a state's overall political, economic, and military aims to preserve its long-term interests. Within the current historiography of Roman military history, an interesting matter of debate arises in which an attempt is made to detect, and then define, the existence of a grand strategy of defense among the ancient Romans. Some historians argue that, throughout classical Roman history, Roman leaders never managed to establish a grand military strategy. For example, some argue that military decisions were made on an ad hoc basis by Roman authorities who reacted to political and military events rather than planning at the strategic level. Some
When the citizens of Rome ousted their last king in 509 BC, power was divided between the magistrates, the Senate, and the assemblies of the people. This partition of authority, which characterized the institutional system of the Republic, was intended to create a balance of power and prevent the return of any autocratic type of authority. Following the erosion of the Etruscan hegemony around 474 BC, Rome broke away from its yoke of authority. Following a game of alliances and a period of wars which lasted two centuries, Rome imposed its domination on the italic tribes of central Italy and even on its former masters, the Etruscans. Subsequently, the Roman conquest of the Greek colonies in the south of the
By 190 AD, the debauched life of emperor Commodus had reached a sinister summit. Never had the Roman Empire been led by such a disgraceful character. Probably mad, he identified himself with the god Hercules and tried to imitate him in every way imaginable, even in the arena. His attitude of suspicion and unhealthy anxiety concerning his personal security were responsible for attacks against the aristocracy and senate members. In 192, Commodus was strangled after a failed poisoning attempt. His death marked the end of the Antonine dynasty of Roman emperors. Following two ephemeral reigns, the Severan dynasty of emperors was established, and it would lead the Empire until 235. During this period, the economic situation of the Empire was
While much appreciated by the plebeians and especially by the army, Emperor Domitian was hated by the aristocracy and the Senate, which he himself despised. His absolutist attitude, his austere financial measures and his persecuting actions perpetrated even against those close to him who were provoked by his unhealthy anxiety concerning his personal security, made him powerful enemies. When the Praetorian Guard joined the ranks of his opponents, the inevitable happened. Under the tacit approval of the Praetorians and the Senate, the Emperor’s own servants, who feared for their own lives, murdered him in September 96 AD. Domitian was 45 years old. The death of Domitian put an abrupt end to the Flavian Dynasty of emperors. He was remembered as

