Significance and Impact of Ancient Rome and Its Relevance in the Current Global Order

Abstract

Michel Foucault one of the most influential authorities on power politics contemplates that power has the character of a network and that its threads extend everywhere. The Ancient Rome was one of the most advanced civilizations armed with military and diplomatic muscle combined with rich cultural and engineering marvels. Rome became the supreme Mediterranean power around 242 BC with the defeat of the Carthage in the First Punic War (264 – 241 BC). The role of Italy in The European Union (EU), NATO and the World at large has had its similar roots manifested through alliances thousands of years ago. Developed nations like Italy are defined by both its Hard and Soft powers. The dire need to study this power projection stem from the various aspects that defined ancient Rome as one of the most developed civilizations. Her tentacles of power need to be analyzed and be compared with respect to the modern day governance. The paper also traces the origin and history of the projection of ancient Roman power both on hard and soft connotations and attempts to parley on its significance and relevance in today’s global world order. The methodology pursued in the paper involves unraveling the special features and characteristics of ancient Rome and the modern day Italy from Military, Trade, Economy and Architectural stand point and attempts to strike a chord between its similarities and differences.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n5s2p51