Final answer:
The Romans decided to fight primarily for military conquest and colonization, and to fuel their economy and maintain their political structure. Their tactics included dividing enemies and negotiating from a position of strength, while cultural values placed high importance on military glory. Over time, this led to a cyclical need for further conquests to sustain their empire.The correct option is A.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Romans chose to fight instead of trade for several reasons, primarily driven by the notion of military conquest and colonization.
Their tactics included 'divide and conquer,' where they turned enemies against each other to avoid facing a coalition, and 'negotiate from strength' to ensure they could negotiate for peace from a position of power.
Furthermore, to consolidate their control, they established colonies in conquered lands which served as bases for spreading Roman culture and language as well as a first line of defense against revolt.
This also allowed for the assimilation of former enemies into allies who provided troops in times of war and sometimes received Roman citizenship.
Additionally, the Roman economy greatly benefited from conquest, as it allowed control over resources, such as securing a vast grain supply.
Military expansion was also driven by cultural values that highly esteemed military glory, and by the elite's political ambitions, which were often tied to their military achievements.
Over time, Rome's frequent military engagements became costly, necessitating further conquests to support the military needs, thereby creating a cycle of continuous conflict.The correct option is A.