The Indus Civilization c15.40

c15.40

Notwithstanding this prudence, the boundary of the Roman empire was occasionally extended by the conquests of Trajan; and the Rhine, the Danube, the Euphrates, and the Tigris, may be considered as the firm and permanent limits of Asia and Europe. Europe itself, less extended than the other quarters of the globe, was divided into the provinces of Gaul, Spain, Britain, Italy, and the Danube, which were all subject to the Roman power. The Mediterranean, in the centre of the empire, was the great channel of commerce, and the bond of union between the different parts of the world. The climate of the Roman provinces was generally temperate, and the soil was fertile, and well cultivated. The population was numerous, and the cities were large, and well built. The arts of peace and war were cultivated with equal success; and the Roman name was respected, and feared, by the most distant nations.