Rome?

[LordCurlyton]

I always figured it was like Keravnos said; they generally knew how to get there the fastest with the mostest, and if things did hit the proverbial fan, they generally retreated in good order.

[kalkwerk]

It has a lot to do with their geographical position in the middle of the mediterranean. this is why the war with carthage became so important too, as both cities had the same advantage in this respect.