Answer:
Trade Routes and Currency Help the Romans Build a Stronger Empire
You have learned that Rome grew its empire through a series of wars. The Romans knew how to conquer new territory. But it takes more than armies and fighting to keep an empire. An empire also needs a strong economy to feed its people, provide necessary goods as well as luxuries, and pay for its armies and government.
A key part of any economy is trade. As the empire grew, the Romans promoted trade by improving trade routes and providing a single currency, or form of money. Let�s look at how these steps helped the Romans grow their economy and strengthen their empire.At its height during the 100s c.e., the Roman Empire ruled all the lands that ringed the Mediterranean Sea. The expansion of the empire had given the Romans control of trade routes as well as territory. Traders traveling by land and sea connected people and goods throughout the empire. From Spain came wine, olive oil, copper, and gold. Britain sold its tin and wool. Gaul produced olives, wine, grain, glass, and pottery. Wool, linen, and timber were shipped from Asia Minor (present-day Turkey) and Syria. Egypt provided papyrus, which was used to make paper, and vast amounts of grain. Every year vast grain fleets sailed from Egypt and Africa, bringing much-needed food to Rome.
Trade also brought valuable goods from outside the empire. Caravans brought goods to busy port cities on the Mediterranean. From Africa came gold, incense, and ivory, and luxuries such as ostrich eggs. Indian spices, Chinese silk, and other goods traveled across Asia by land to cities like Antioch in Syria. From there they were shipped to Rome.
The Romans improved these trade routes and created new ones. They built harbors, canals, and a vast system of roads.
While it lasted, the Pax Romana (Roman Peace) provided the order and stability that trade required. The Roman army made the roads and sea routes safe for traders.
In turn, trade helped the economy grow. People in each area of the empire could sell what they grew or made to people in other areas who could use these goods. They could also buy things that they couldn�t produce for themselves. For instance, the city of Rome needed much more grain to feed its people than local farmers could grow. By trading with Egypt, Romans got the grain they needed. Egypt benefited by selling grain to Rome.
