Did civil wars lessen the srength of the empire and weaken the population?

Answer 1

The net effect was mixed. For some periods, it stalled its expansion - that is while there was actual warfare between contending Roman leaders. In the periods between, the expansion went on apace, particularly in the east, where successively Sulla, Lucullus and Pompey progressively subdued Asia Minor, Syria, Palestine and established new provinces or client kingships.

At their conclusion, it left an autocrat Augustus who allocated the frontier provinces and the legions to himself, and set about limiting expansion and stabilising defendable borders on the Rhine and Danube, and in North Africa, Egypt and Anatolia-Syria-Palestine-Arabia. Within those borders he attempted to establish good and stable government, modifying the settlements of his predecessors by endorsing the client kings or converting troublesome border areas to Roman provinces.

Augustus also had to effect the re-settlement of half a million soldiers after the wars, establishing military colonies throughout the empire, which had a secondary stabilising effect.

Answer 2

The civil wars of the 1st Century BCE actually strengthened the military capability of Rome, so much so that Octavian had to arrange the demobilisation and resettlement of half a million men. These military colonies provided an underlying military capability for the provinces in which they were settled.

Octavian Augustus also adopted a policy of no further expansion, stabilising the empire inside defendable borders and coming to terms with neighbouring peoples, and so began the Pax Romanum - a period of relative stability for the people under its rule.

While there was a severe loss of life and resources, the stable form of government which ensued strengthened it.

Answer 3

Yes, as would be expected.

But in another sense it strengthened it - it brought on a degree of stability and prosperity as more appropriate governance and defeance measures were established to resolve the structural problems which caused the wars - resulting in a degree of stability and prosperity fro two centuries - the Pax Romanum.

Answer 4

They made it stronger. After the war war settled, Augustus strengthened the political and military stability of the Empire, curtailed expansion, and established defensible borders.

Answer 5

Please specify which empire you are referring to.