The Roman Empire gained new territory by conquering new lands since its origin as a city-state on the Italian Peninsula to an empire that covered; Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Near East and North Africa. The Roman military battled for land and fought against Huns, Vandals, and Germanic tribes. After the first Punic war, land battles became more significant compared to naval wars. The military secured its borders and maintained internal order. Early territorial expansion campaigns began as a counter-offensive that brought large territorial areas under Rome.
