11-21-2008, 12:50 PM
I think maybe you're confusing two questions.
Question 1: During whose reign did the Roman Empire reach its greatest extent?
Answer 1: Must be Septimius Severus. After all, only by relinquishing territory could he have done otherwise! But remember that he was building on the expansionist successes of Antoninus Pius (territory in Upper Germany and Britain), Hadrian (territory in Upper Germany and Britain), Trajan (new provinces in Dacia and Arabia, but retrenchment in Britain), Domitian (territory in Upper Germany, but ultimate retrenchment in Britain), Vespasian (Commagene), Nero (territory in Britain), Claudius (new provinces in Britain and Thrace), Tiberius (Cappadocia) and Augustus (phew -- where to begin?).
Question 2: Who was responsible for adding the most territory to the Roman empire?
Answer 2: Probably Augustus! But Trajan did a sterling self-publicity job. And although Severus advertised himself as the propagator imperii, it is debateable whether he personally added more to the empire (i.e. Mesopotamia and Tripolitania) than Trajan. (I have no intention of calculating the respective areas!!)
Don't you think ..?
Question 1: During whose reign did the Roman Empire reach its greatest extent?
Answer 1: Must be Septimius Severus. After all, only by relinquishing territory could he have done otherwise! But remember that he was building on the expansionist successes of Antoninus Pius (territory in Upper Germany and Britain), Hadrian (territory in Upper Germany and Britain), Trajan (new provinces in Dacia and Arabia, but retrenchment in Britain), Domitian (territory in Upper Germany, but ultimate retrenchment in Britain), Vespasian (Commagene), Nero (territory in Britain), Claudius (new provinces in Britain and Thrace), Tiberius (Cappadocia) and Augustus (phew -- where to begin?).
Question 2: Who was responsible for adding the most territory to the Roman empire?
Answer 2: Probably Augustus! But Trajan did a sterling self-publicity job. And although Severus advertised himself as the propagator imperii, it is debateable whether he personally added more to the empire (i.e. Mesopotamia and Tripolitania) than Trajan. (I have no intention of calculating the respective areas!!)
Don't you think ..?
