Question

select the correct text in the passage. which detail best develops the central idea? the footprints of time by charles bancroft (excerpt from \section vi. the roman republic\) the romans, more than any other people of ancient times, understood how to establish a well - ordered state. respect for order and law among them was very great. the idea of a government with a definite constitution, which the rulers should always respect, and which should be an adequate protection to the people against oppression, had never occurred to any of the asiatic nations. . . . she rome had a genius for producing and preserving a constitution, adding to it by slow degrees, maintaining checks and balances that preserved the machinery in working order, and rendered it capable of producing the most valuable results that were possible in those times. to rule was her passion. she was not wanting in intelligence, but it was the homely prudence of common life, the skill to adapt means to ends. of all the nations, she was the first to carry organization into every part of her government, and conduct everything by inexorable system and order. if rome was resolved to rule others, she was no less resolved to rule herself. the mission of greece was in the domain of thought, to develop the intellectual capabilities of mankind. that of rome also required intelligence, but of a lower and more material kind. she was to teach mankind to follow an orderly development, to introduce system, to prevent ruinous clashing of interests, to teach respect for law. greece taught the world to think to purpose; rome to govern with effect. each served an important purpose.

Explanation:

The central idea is that Romans were skilled at establishing a well - ordered state. The detail "She [Rome] had a genius for producing and preserving a constitution, adding to it by slow degrees, maintaining checks and balances that preserved the machinery in working order" best develops this as it shows Rome's ability to create and maintain a stable and effective governing system.

Answer:

She [Rome] had a genius for producing and preserving a constitution, adding to it by slow degrees, maintaining checks and balances that preserved the machinery in working order