The Rise and Fall of Rome

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The rise and fall of one of the greatest empires known to man, the Roman republic, were caused by several key factors. Three of which were the decline of monarchy within the empire, foreign conquests and expansion of the growing empire, and political battles between powerful officials.

The decline of monarchy which caused the rise of the republic was caused by the expulsion of the last Etruscan king. An ancient Roman tale tells of how the last Etruscan king, Tarquinius Superbus, was driven from his thrown. The tale tells of how after his son, Sextus, raped a beautiful and virtuous women, Lucretia. After she was raped she told her husband what had happened, after that she took her own life, rather than permit even force to excuse for dishonor. Having Lucretia kill herself outraged almost all the Romans. The romans revolted against tarquinius superbus and were lead by Lucius Junius Brutus, they succeeded in driving him from the thrown. Now that the last Etruscan king had fallen it was time for the roman republic to rise to power. The republic rose when the senate handed power over to two consuls, originally called praetors, after the revolt against tarquinius superbus. The consuls had power in the senate for one year, new consuls were elected by the Comitia Centuriata and confirmed in their Imperium by the comitia Curiata. The consuls, like the kings before them and by custom, were advised by

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the senate, Rome’s assembly of notables. Consuls were assisted by lesser magistrates, they were appointed by the consuls themselves until their duties became more independent of the consuls, and more important politically that they were soon only elected. In some cases functions only administrated by consuls could be assigned to n...

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... at Actium off the coast of northwest Greece. Marc Antony and queen Cleopatra then fled to Egypt where, in 30 B.C, they both committed suicide.

The rise and decline of the great Roman Republic were caused a great deal by political corruption and turmoil. For example during the decline when Julius Caesar, Marcus Licinius Crassus, and Pompey the great were battling for power over the senate and citizens of the Roman Republic the republic started to shatter and crumble. Also during the rise when Tarquinius Superbus and the citizen rebellion led by Lucius Junius Brutus were fighting for power over the city. Another factor, the expansion and foreign conquests of Rome played key roles in the decline of the Republic. Finally the decline of monarchy helped in the rise by creating a need for a new system of government which was quickly fulfilled by the senate and consuls.

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