How did the expansion of the roman Empire affect its government?

Roman expansion and especially the Roman conquest of the eastern Mediterranean changed the character of Roman political power. Having to participate in ongoing warfare and often sacrifice their lives for the republic was an enormous burden on Roman peasants. Meanwhile, the aristocracy accumulated most of the benefits that the expansion brought; they acquired new wealth, slaves, and social contacts. An extensive network of patron-client relationships developed between Roman senatorial families and wealthy provincials.

The expansion of Roman power throughout the Mediterranean affected many aspects of political life. Conquests meant enslavement of many conquered people, thus expanding the role of slavery in the Roman economy and contributing to the growth of large estates (latifundia) and possibly to economic inequality as well.