Rough draft

 Rome, which was the greatest military power in the ancient world, routinely invaded and conquered its weaker neighbors. It did so in order to increase its territory and wealth. That Rome was ruthless in pursuit of its own self-interest is illustrated by its treatment of the Carthaginians, the Gauls, and the peoples of the near east.

 The Punic Wars between Rome and Carthage lasted for over 100 years and ended with the compete destruction of the Carthaginian empire. In 146 B.C, Roman legions finally captured and burned Carthage itself, selling the city’s survivors into slavery. As a result of its victory, Rome acquired territory in the Mediterranean and North Africa that it had long wanted to dominate. It also took control of seaborne trade in the region trade that Carthage had previously dominated. In other words, Rome fought the Punic Wars in order to eliminate its major territorial and commercial rival in the Mediterranean and North African region.

 The Romans initially invaded Gaul, located in southern France and Northern Italy, in order to retaliate against “barbarian” tribes that had earlier sacked Rome and aided the Carthaginians in the Punic Wars. But later Roman attacks and conquests, which resulted in much suffering among the people of Gaul, were motivated by territorial and commercial ambitions. Gaul’s land was very fertile, and control of it provided Rome with a secure source of food. Furthermore, Rome’s treasury grew by heavily taxing those who used the area’s well-developed trade routes.

  Rome also exploited civil unrest in the near east in order to expand its empire. Those who came under its control received harsh treatment, with many being killed or sold into slavery. Why was Rome interested in near eastern lands? It had two reasons. First, these lands contained great wealth, which Rome needed to run its empire. Second, control of the near east served a vital strategic purpose; it prevented other powers from threatening Roman dominance of the Mediterranean Sea.

 In sum, then, Rome did not hesitate to use force to accomplish its territorial and economic goals. In the short run, militaristic behavior enabled the empire to become stronger and more prosperous. In the long run, however, Rome’s ruthless behavior was its undoing. The hatred that Roman conquests generated among non-Romans led to constant revolts, which eventually undermined the very foundations of the empire.

Bibiliograph: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rome
                       http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Empire
                       and there is history book, was written by korean ( sorry for that).