Roman Expansion (Discussion)

The Roman Empire was a global powerhouse and lasted for several hundred years. It was not uncommon for villages and territories to be taken over by the far superior military might of the Romans. People who succumbed to Roman rule had many advantages and disadvantages when their land was ruled. Some advantages would include: large networks of trade, protection from other forces, and increased opportunities to improve financial situation. The Roman Empire was massive, which meant people from unique places could trade goods with one another. The Romans would also protect the land they had sought out for, so a villager would also be protected. Opportunities to join a well-trained military or move to larger cities would never be possible for people of a rural territory. Some disadvantages would be subjection to the Roman emperor and possible abandonment certain practices. The Roman emperor had complete authority, which meant people were at his mercy. Deities other than Roman ones were considered inferior or false and it depended on the emperor if those religious practices could be performed. 

If I was in 50 AD Bath, England, I would want to have been a soldier of the Roman army. With the most advanced equipment of the time, I would have been well taken care of.