Romaica

Appian of Alexandria, a Greek historian of the 2nd century AD, wrote the Romaica, a comprehensive history of Rome's conquests. This work was originally in 24 books, organized by the peoples Rome conquered. While much of the Romaica is lost, surviving sections cover regions like Spain, Carthage, and Illyria, as well as figures such as Hannibal and the Roman civil wars. Appian's history is a valuable source, particularly for the civil wars, though scholars note his creative use of sources to support his views. Ancient Rome itself grew from a small town into a vast empire, influencing Western civilization through its institutions, language, and law. Early Italy was a multicultural environment, with Rome influenced by Etruscan and Greek civilizations.123