ROMAN DOMINATION OF THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA AND ITS IMPACT ON MARITIME COMMERCE

Abstract

This research explores the origins and development of the Roman navy, analyzes the strategies Rome adopted to dominate the Mediterranean Sea, and reveals the impact of this dominance on trade and ports. The findings demonstrate that naval control was not merely a military tool, but a comprehensive strategy aimed at achieving economic and political hegemony, thus transforming the Mediterranean into a unified space under Roman influence. The interplay between military power and economics highlights the vital role of the sea in shaping the identity of the Roman Empire and defining the history of the Mediterranean.