WI/AHC: Rome fails to expand outside of Italy?

What if the Roman Republic failed to expand their territories out of Italy? FPotS, let's say that 'Italy' comprises of modern-day Italy sans the Piedmont, Südtirol, Sardinia, and Sicily.

How would the world develop without an expansionist Rome? Would a future incarnation of Rome do what it did OTL?

And also, how could it happen?
 
Lucky romans!

If the roman republic never expands beyond Italy, it could have survived until today.

But that would mean, that the romans are not willing to expand. Or that someone stops them in the 2nd century BC. But who should that be? I doubt Carthago had a chance, even if they win the 1st punic war.
 
Lucky romans!

If the roman republic never expands beyond Italy, it could have survived until today.

But that would mean, that the romans are not willing to expand. Or that someone stops them in the 2nd century BC. But who should that be? I doubt Carthago had a chance, even if they win the 1st punic war.

Roman intervention in the east was more or less accidental rather than some kind of plan to actually conquer it, no? So it shouldn't be too hard, if you can have a strong and stable state dominating at least Greece (so, no independent states in the area to cause conflict and an opening for appeal for Roman intervention). Without heavy Carthaginian investment in Spain, ROman involvement there can be kept away too.

You'd still have Roman protection extending over Massalia at least though.
 
Top