if the roman empire had knowledge about america, why did they not invade it?

Answer 1

Well romans were very good at managing. If they knew about America, they probably also knew about the cost involved to re-locate their empire and re-develop a trade route and the thousands of years it would all take.

So it was all very not feasible at that time.

Answer 2

There may have been rumors that a land lay across the Atlantic ocean - but as far as we know none of the histories of the Roman Empire indicate that anyone knew of the North American continent.

If they had known - they would probably not have much inclination to visit. Most Romans thought that their Empire had the best of everything and that everything outside of the Empire was a poor imitation. The thought that Roma already had the best of everything so why bother with places that were far away and which had nothing to offer in terms of entertainment or wealth or knowledge. Most Romans legionnaires considered military posts in places far from civilization to be a great hardship since they did not offer baths, familiar foods, good roads, fine temples, sports or entertainments that were like those at home in Roman cities.

Even If they had wanted to invade their navy was not sufficiently developed and equipped to make the journey in a reasonable period of time. Spending months at sea would kill most of an army.

That's assuming that they actually could navigate all the way there - they typically did not navigate waters so far from shores, and most likely they would have been as afraid as the crews of the Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria of "sailing off the edge of the world"...

Lastly for most of the Emperors they could not afford the men and resources. Those were needed to quell rebellions, control client states, and maintain order in Roman lands in order simply to continue to hold on to the Mediterranean and the Roman colonies in 'remote' areas like Britain or North Africa.

Answer 3

I doubt that they had the first clue about the American continents.

Even if they had, it's a long way from Rome to North or South America. The Romans, being for the most part a very practical people, wouldn't see any really good reason to conquer a place so inaccessible--just think of the logistical nightmares involved in trying to supply armies half a world away, then factor in all the problems they already had with the provinces closer to home.

Answer 4

If they knew about it,they were smart enough to realize it was beyond their capabilities or that the pay off was insufficient for what it would take to conquer. After all they knew about and traded with China and India but didn't conquer them. A Roman legion actually made it as far as China!They have found some ruins of Roman Military structures in this city in western China!
Sometimes it pays to know your limitations!

Answer 5

America had not been discovered when the Roman empire was together.

Answer 6

America was not know to them. Neither was most of Asia, most of Africa, Australia, Antarctica, and even parts of northern Europe.

Had they been known, it is still unlikely that Rome would have invaded America. Most of the Emperors were so busy just trying to stay alive and defend themselves from coups, invaders, poisoning, rogue generals, etc. that they never conquered anything. Most of their efforts were just to keep what they already had (and most did not).

Answer 7

I have never seen a source that implies that they knew about it, and if they did it would have been in the later part of their empire witch they had a problem with all of the invaders.

Answer 8

"if the roman empire had knowledge about america"

Says who?

Answer 9

America was unknown at the time. Even it they had known about it---their ships were not strong enough to make the trip across the Atlantic Ocean.

Answer 10

If they had the knowledge, why would they? they had enough trouble with the lands they held...never mind trying to travel to the America's.