Roman Trade/Roads

One important aspect of Roman expansion were the economic reasons

Certain areas, especially in the east of the empire were resource rich

Rome needed resources that they couldn't produce themselves

Most of these resources could be found in other Roman provinces

Many traders from Africa and Asia would trade with Rome

From Africa, traders would bring animals

From Asia, traders would bring exotic goods like spices

Roman traders would send goods like jewelry, glass, clothing

Traders would often travel outside Roman borders, using the mediterranean as an access to Asia and Africa

The Roman Navy would protect trader ships

Lares were household gods that were spirits of the dead that would protect your house

Penates were gods responsible for wealth and prosperity

Most Romans would have shrines of Lares and Penates in their homes

Romans didn't want to offend any gods so they paid respect to all gods

Their most popular gods were from lands they conquered

Most came from the Greek Pantheon and became their main gods

Zeus = Jupiter aka the main god. God of the sky

Ares = Mars aka the god of war. The second most important god

Poseidon = Neptune aka the god of the sea

Aphrodite = Venus aka the goddess of love and beauty