Question

Why were upper class members of newly conquered lands given Roman citizenship?

Answer 1

Answer:

to make them loyal to the empire

Explanation:

Rome had a strategy to keep the peace in the colonies and conquered lands – they would give one form of Roman citizenship to the upper-class people of the conquered land. The final goal was not to assimilate these people and turn them into Romans but to give them something to value and to make them happy.

This way, they would feel content, have basic rights, good life, and do not need rebellion. They would feel loyal to the empire and emperor because they would have a certain benefit from them.