I don’t disagree with you on the evilness that is involved with pretty much all conquering imperial powers (whether it’s an empire or republic backing it), but Rome didn’t invent that. They made some advancements in military tactics, strategies, and logistics. But conquest was done before them.
Alexander the great had an empire that rivaled Rome’s side when he died (and there are other example in recorded history of it being done earlier, like in Egypt, Gilgamesh, and many others). And even the whole “you can keep your culture as long as you join the empire” was done by Persia before Rome did it.
I don’t disagree with you on the evilness that is involved with pretty much all conquering imperial powers (whether it’s an empire or republic backing it), but Rome didn’t invent that. They made some advancements in military tactics, strategies, and logistics. But conquest was done before them.
Alexander the great had an empire that rivaled Rome’s side when he died (and there are other example in recorded history of it being done earlier, like in Egypt, Gilgamesh, and many others). And even the whole “you can keep your culture as long as you join the empire” was done by Persia before Rome did it.