If one is to briefly define the term of espionage, it would be described as the planning, the collection, the analysis, and dissemination of information as related to forces, nations, or coalitions of powers other than one’s own in a military or political setting, in peace time or during war. In the context of Ancient Rome, an interesting question arises in terms what role espionage played in its strategy of defense. The nature and needs of espionage in Roman times, in an era long before the technological innovations with which we are familiar, were different from those of our own time. Lacking modern means and tools, the art of intelligence among the Romans depended almost exclusively on the human factor. The movement of information in pre-industrial societies was dependent on the movement of people. Moreover, the Roman reality and needs in the realm of intelligence were mainly military in nature. Modern intelligence concerns, such as economic, technological, and scientific espionage as well as counterterrorism, did not exist in Antiquity. Read moreSection: Ancient PlacesEuropeHistoryAncient TraditionsPremiumPreviewRead Later