Growing Pains: Development Stages of the Roman Republic

1467 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Quizlet roman republic

The development of a nation is similar to the development of a child; they both go through various stages of development before they have a firm grasp of what they are supposed to do. Much like a child, a nation goes through its infancy with a naïve point of view, usually enacting laws that suit the ruling class (wealthy) and when they eventually develop into adolescence they use their past experiences to adapt to the needs of the majority. The Roman Republic is a prime example of this analogy, throughout the 5th century towards the 1st century B.C.E; the Roman Republic was forced to change its constitution and laws in order to properly rule their newly acquired land and accommodate the Latin people who joined Rome as a result of its expansion. …show more content…

The addition of the people in Roman governance ensured that laws or legislation proposed by the consuls went through strict review process . Although, only the Patricians could vie for governmental positions and the plebeians were relegated to the fringes of society. The launch of the council of plebs allowed the plebeians to review and accept laws proposed by the consuls . Having a multi-faceted form of government ensured that there was cooperation amongst the divisions of government. For instance, when the Consuls were in Rome, they would propose issues for the senate to discuss and they would also summon the assemblies to vote on the proposed law . This cooperation among the different divisions of government allowed the Republic to make informed decisions about the advancement of the state. In addition to its cooperative style of governance, the Roman constitution also outlines the role of each division of government outlining their strengths and limitations . The establishment of the roles of each division of government ensured that no one could exceed their assigned power. The initial success of the Republic can be attributed to the counterbalancing system of the

Show More
Related

  • Rome to America

    1555 Words  | 4 Pages

    The Roman Republic, was a government, governed by an intricate constitution, which was based on the idea of separation of powers. The Roman Republic, began in 509 B.C, after the end of the Roman Monarchy and lasted for over 450 years. The constitution of the Roman Republic was highly influenced by the struggle of power between the rich families, the patricians, and other Romans who were not from famous or rich families, the plebeians. Their government was divided into three main sections, very much like the Legislative Branch, Executive, Branch, and Judicial Branch. Nowadays, the Senate and assembly resemble the Legislative Branch. In the Roman Republic, the Senate was the most powerful group. The Senate passed all laws and collected taxes. The second part of this branch, was the assembly, and the assembly was elected by the Romans from the plebeian class. The assembly elected consuls, tribunes (representatives from the plebeian class), and made laws. All members of the Senate were part of the patrician class and at the head of the Senate were two consuls. The Consuls controlled the Roman army and in order to become a consul, you had to be elected by a majority of all the citizens in Rome. The consuls, are like our president and the Executive Branch. Although the method of separation of powers came from the Roman Republic, that is not all that came from the Roman Republic that became part of the United States...

    Read More

  • The Political Decay of the Roman Republic

    1035 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Political Decay of the Roman Republic The fall of the Western Roman Empire was the first example in history on the collapse of a constitutional system which was caused by the internal decay in political, military, economics, and sociological issues. The government was becoming corrupt with bribery. Commanders of the Roman army turned their own army inward towards their own Constitutional systems, fueled by their own ruthless ambition. This paper will talk about how the violence and internal turmoil in 133 B.C.-27 B.C. was what provoked the economic stagnation in the city of Rome and to the end of the Republic and the many corrupt politicians and generals who only thought of nothing more than personal gains and glory. The senate lost control of the Roman military and the reason they rose against the senate was because the senate were no longer able to help manage the social problems or the military and administrative problems of the empire.

    Read More

  • The History of the Roman Government

    4408 Words  | 9 Pages

    The Romans have had almost every type of government there is. They've had a kingdom, a republic, a dictatorship, and an empire. Their democracy would be the basis for most modern democracies. The people have always been involved with and loved their government, no matter what kind it was. They loved being involved in the government, and making decisions concerning everyone. In general, the Romans were very power-hungry. This might be explained by the myth that they are descended from Romulus, who's father was Mars, the god of war. Their government loving tendencies have caused many, many civil wars. After type of government, the change has been made with a civil war. There have also been many civil wars between rulers. But it all boils

    Read More

  • The Rise and Fall of the Roman Republic

    521 Words  | 2 Pages

    This new political ordering was the republic. The Greek historian Polybius defines the republic as having three basic parts. The consuls, who were elected by the people, also had to be approved by the senate. The senate, which was made up of patricians. Lastly, the people (roman citizens) who held the ultimate power, as they were the ones who voted. In this manner it was guaranteed that the government must always work in a symbiotic re...

    Read More

  • The Roman Republic: An Empire in Disguise

    776 Words  | 2 Pages

    If one were to make his way through the history of the world, he or she would learn about the many forms of government, and how they came to be. In the case of Rome, many historians would note it as having a period where it was a republic, and a period where it was an empire. When examined in detail, though, the Roman Republic fails to mirror a true republic. While it had republican qualities, it was ultimately set up to give the common people a false sense of security and power in the Roman government. The ancient city of Rome was never a true republic because its traits do not emulate the definition of a republic or the republics of other ancient societies, and because of its biased political system.

    Read More

  • The Rise Of The Roman Republic

    830 Words  | 2 Pages

    Over the span of five-hundred years, the Roman Republic grew to be the most dominant force in the early Western world. As the Republic continued to grow around the year 47 B.C it began to go through some changes with the rise of Julius Caesar and the degeneration of the first triumvirate. Caesar sought to bring Rome to an even greater glory but many in the Senate believed that he had abused his power, viewing his rule more as a dictatorship. The Senate desired that Rome continued to run as a republic. Though Rome continued to be glorified, the rule of Caesar Octavian Augustus finally converted Rome to an Empire after many years of civil war. Examining a few selections from a few ancient authors, insight is provided as to how the republic fell and what the result was because of this.

    Read More

  • Essay On Defensive Imperialism

    2084 Words  | 5 Pages

    Those elected to leadership were admitted to the Senate where public affairs were discussed. Power divisions during the time were complicated and no single person was entitled to too much power. Tribunes, which comprised of ten men, were put into place in order to monitor the Senate and ensure that the interests of the people were protected. However, this system began to fall apart since certain individuals wanted to have more power than others. Such persons started to compete for that power, and use it to exploit Rome’s politics.

    Read More

  • Rise of the Roman Republic

    955 Words  | 2 Pages

    Rome became a powerful empire engulfing much of Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia and what seemed like this great entity called the Romans were always in the search of more territory and land to conquer and assimilate into their ever growing vast empire. However, this was not always the case, before Rome became one of the greatest empires in all of history, Rome was a republic. They were government consisted of a Senate who much like our country today represented certain classes of the citizens of the Republic. During the growth and rise of the Roman republic conquering neighboring territories and competing for land grabs was not Romans primary objectives. Romans believed in the well being and wealth of Rome, and if that meant the total destruction of a potential adversary, then as history will show that is unfortunately to the detriment of the adversary what happened.

    Read More

  • Ancient Rome's Influence on Modern Democracy

    728 Words  | 2 Pages

    During the time period of ancient Rome, the structure of government and political culture was developed and has helped us base our own government and political ideas to the ones that we use today. Ancient Rome had three periods’ in their government those where the Republican period, Imperial period, and Monarchy period. Each period helped Rome build their government and structure their society in a specific way throughout their early years. The Romans were a direct democracy, meaning everyone (who is eligible) is able to vote, on who is put in charge. The Republican period was the most influential period in their history on modern society. During the Republican period every male citizen enjoyed the privilege of voting (1) on the legislation, (2) on the election of government officials. (Shelton 1988) Although it was a direct democracy at the time it was definitely more of an aristocracy than a democracy due to senators who were part of Rome’s upper-class, who controlled the nature of legislation that reached the assemblies. (Shelton 1988). People were put into three assemblies: the Comitia Centuriata, the Comitia Tributa, and the Concilium Plebis. Voters were divided into voting units called centuries; divisions that were made according to property value and age; so that the wealthiest people at a certain age were grouped together. (Shelton 1988) But, mostly all decisions were made by the wealthiest group of older people given their power over the community.

    Read More

  • Essay On Democracy And Athenian Democracy

    1230 Words  | 3 Pages

    They were originally established with the intent to give most of the power to the people. The power to vote for the leaders and settle issues professionally. Both forms of governments had senates, which represented the people and helped the nations succeed, by not allowing one person to gain complete power like a king or emperor would. They both did not want kings ruling the entire kingdom, so they gave the people more power by allowing them a voice with some form of voting. Power was also given to representatives and officials in the republic and democracy. The Athenians were able to vote for legislation and bills, while the Romans elected officials to vote on the people’s behalf. The Roman’s established an aristocratic republic controlled by only wealthy people, so the power was not shared equally in society. On the contrary the Athenians allowed anyone to be in government as long as they were a male citizen. A form of the executive branch emerged from both systems; Rome had two consuls elected by council and Athens had a council of five hundred men. They both had different regulations on who was able to be a citizen. The Athenians only granted citizenship to native born males, while the Romans gave half citizenship to Italians allowing them to have full rights, but were not able to

    Read More

  • The Roman Republic

    939 Words  | 2 Pages

    This new Republican government, which was administered by the consuls, was not the easiest to transform. Because of the expansion in Italy, the government began to initiate political institutions. These institutions enforced laws and provided authority which were very similar to imperium. “The Romans had a clear concept of executive authority, embodied in their word imperium, or “the right to command” (Spielvogel 117). Since the Romans were very sensible in their actions, they made and implemented them only as needed. The most essential positions held were the few elected magistrates and the two consuls who were “chosen annually, administered the government and led the Roman army into battle” (Spielvogel 117). If the consul was otherwise occupied, either a dictator or praetor would assume responsibility for the time being.

    Read More

  • The Fall of The Roman Republic

    878 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Roman Republic ultimately failed due to the lack of large-scale wars and other crises that had united the Roman populous early in the history of the Roman Republic. Roman leadership and honor were compromised. In the absence of war and crisis, Rome’s leaders failed to develop the honor and leadership necessary to maintain the Republic. The Roman Republic was founded in 509 BC after the ruling Tarquins abused their extensive power as monarchs and were overthrown. The goal of the Roman Republic was to have a strong government, governed equally by the patricians and the plebians, and to avoid another Roman Monarchy.

    Read More

  • The Three Branches Of The Roman Republic

    182 Words  | 1 Pages

    democratic by dividing them into 3 groups:The Consuls that lead the military and were supreme

    Read More

  • The Fall Of The Roman Republic Essay

    1655 Words  | 4 Pages

    “He is said to have been tall of stature… except that towards the end.” What was it that really led to the fall of the Roman Republic? There are a lot of different factors to consider when trying to determine what caused the collapse. By examining The Rubicon, The Life of Julius Caesar, and some accompanying handouts from class, this paper will discuss how the Roman Republic did not collapse because of one factor. The collapse of the Roman Republic was like that of a game of Jenga. Factors were pulled out of the Republican system just like a game of Jenga until the Republic could not stand anymore.

    Read More

  • Roman Political Power

    1409 Words  | 3 Pages

    Rome socially, economically, and politically is unbalanced and unequal which will cause the two Roman classes to be separated and not unified as a whole. For example, one crucial component of Roman politics is who had the political power in the government setting. The political power of a government is very important to the citizens because it affects all aspects of every single person’s life. Also politics is how a Roman citizen is able to voice their thoughts, opinions, and problems if not given proper recognition it could be fatal to the government. According to ROME AS A WORLD POWER, “The patricians and plebeians had united in their efforts to drive out the kings; but when the struggle against the kingship was ended, the chief fruits of

    Read More

More about Growing Pains: Development Stages of the Roman Republic

Open Document