Rome and the Great Social War

Defeated enemies, as history shows, may become devoted allies. Once Rome had seemed the tyrant of Italy. After the successful outcome of the Social War, writes Harold Mattingly, her Italian neighbours took their places at her side, ready to assist her in the gigantic task of government.

When Rome finally came to hold Empire over the whole of the Mediterranean world, she had a partner to help her in her gigantic task of government. Italy stood beside her as a privileged companion and friend. Virgil in the last Book of the Aeneid has expressed it perfectly for us.

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