What Enabled the Romans to Build Their Empire?

The Romans built an empire that survived for 1,000 years (31 BC-1453), due in part to their military, technology and leadership abilities. What was it about the Roman’s army, technological and leadership abilities that help them build an Empire as vast and as prosperous as theirs?  This paper will take that question and try to answer that question, using historical facts gathered from two sources.  

One of the key ingredients to the Roman Empire’s success was their army.  The Roman Army conquered many countries, which included England/Wales, Spain, France, Germany, Northern Africa, parts of the Middle East and Greece (O” Brain 1).

There are three reasons the Roman Army was so successful:  their training, ability to invent new military tactics, and the rapidness in which they learned. The Roman Army consisted of legionnaires, which were lower level (foot soldiers) Roman soldiers, staff officers and commissioned officers.  One can argue that the legionnaires were the most important component in the Roman army.  Although their training was at times hard and brutal, they were taught to fight in a discipline and specific manner (O’Brian 1).  
   
Legionnaires went into battle equipped with three main weapons:  Pilum, which resembled something like a Javelin, Gladius there main weapon and used for close quarter fighting, and the Pugio, which resembled a small dagger (O’ Brain 1).

Legionnaires were men that were handpicked for their skills and all were Roman citizens, unlike the auxiliary troops who were mostly comprised of foreigners.  Legionnaires were paid more then the auxiliary troops.  However, the entire Roman Army were known for their courage, and physical fitness, which was in part due to being forced to carry their weapons, two weeks of provisions and tools for pitching camp (O’ Brian 1).