Elected Government
Ancient Rome was famed for its rambunctious and dynamic system of governance. It is generally accepted that this period of history was characterised by a unique form of representative government. This government was known as the Republic of Rome, and it was run by an elected ruler known as a consul. The consuls were two supremely powerful men, responsible for making all of Rome’s important decisions on behalf of the citizens. Elections to choose the consuls were held regularly, and the most able man was expected to be chosen. It is thought that within the Republic of Rome, elections were conducted according to a popular mandate. This popular mandate is thought to have been the main factor determining who was elected as the consul.
The Republic of Rome is thought to have had a strong foundation in law. According to many historians, Rome adopted the Twelve Tables of Laws during constitutional reforms in 451-450 BCE. This document contained numerous detailed laws that were aimed at protecting the citizen’s rights. Many of these laws focused on areas such as property, inheritance, and marriage. It is thought that the Twelve Tables of Laws worked in tandem with the Republic of Rome in order to provide citizens with a reliable form of governance.
Leaders of the Republic
The Republic of Rome was a powerful and influential government, and it was run by a committee of elected officials. This committee was known as the Roman Senate, and it was comprised of a hundred elites who were chosen as the representatives of Rome’s citizens. Political power in the Republic of Rome was highly centralized and concentrated in the Senate. It was the Senate that issued all laws, determined trade agreements and created government policy.
As the rulers of the Republic of Rome, the Senate was in charge of all important matters of state. It issued laws and declared war, determined tax policies, and held court proceedings. The senators were the most influential figures in the government, and their voice was heard and closely followed.
The Dictatorship
Though the Republic of Rome was an impressive example of democracy, it was not a stable form of governance. Pervasive in-fighting, international invasions and natural disasters ultimately led to its demise. When the Republic of Rome broke down in the first century BCE, an autocratic government known as the Dictatorship of Rome was formed in its place.
This new, autocratic government was led by a single ruler. Known as the dictator, this ruler held autocratic power over all other branches of the government. He was solely responsible for all of Rome’s major decisions, and he held a level of power that was unheard of in the Republic of Rome. The position of dictator was held by members of a single family, known as the Julio-Claudians, and they had an iron grip on Rome’s political affairs.
The Emperor
The autocratic system of government that had been established during the Dictatorship of Rome was eventually replaced by another form of leadership known as the Roman Empire. The ruler of this imperial system of government was known as the Emperor. The position of Emperor was held by the most powerful member of the Julio-Claudiian family, and it was regarded to be the highest position of power in Rome. Under the Emperor’s rule, Rome experienced a period of great prosperity, as well as unprecedented levels of stability.
The Emperor of Rome held a great deal of authority over all aspects of the government. He controlled the senate, determined laws and taxes, and had the exclusive power to declare war. Though the larger problems facing Rome, such as rampant wealth inequality, were never addressed, Emperor-led Rome was still a golden age of stability and strength.
Economic Policies
The government of the Roman Empire was primarily concerned with economic policies. Emperor-led Rome generated vast amounts of wealth through taxation, tariffs and foreign trade. This income was distributed unequally, meaning that members of the poor working classes faced heavy taxation while the wealthy elites were granted substantial exemptions. This caused a great deal of unrest among the lower classes, and Rome eventually faced several major revolts as a result.
In spite of the unequal distribution of wealth, the Roman economy prospered during the Imperial era. Local businesses flourished and the Roman currency became one of the most powerful currencies in the world. This allowed Rome to become a major trading hub and a destination for merchants from all over the world.
Military Might
The military might of the Roman Empire ensured its place as one of the strongest and most feared nations of the ancient world. Under the Emperor’s rule, Rome had an imposing army, with legions of infantry, cavalry, and archers. Powered by advanced weapons, such as the catapult, Rome was able to project its military strength to all corners of the world.
Rome’s strength on the battlefield enabled it to establish and maintain a vast international empire. This empire extended across Europe and the Middle East, and Rome was able to both harness the wealth and resources of these vast territories and impose its laws upon its conquered people.
Decline and Fall
Though the Roman Empire was founded upon a period of remarkable stability and prosperity, its time as a great superpower was short-lived. In 476CE, the last emperor of Rome, Romulus Augustus, was deposed by Odoacer, a Germanic ruler of Italy. The Roman Empire quickly dissolved, and Rome’s territories were divided up between various barbarian rulers.
In the centuries following the fall of the Empire, Rome’s greatness was slowly forgotten. Though the legacy of Rome remains today, its reign of power has long since faded away.
Legacy and Influence
The legacy of the Roman Empire has had an immeasurable impact on the modern world. Roman law provided the foundations for contemporary legal systems, while the Latin language is still widely used as the common language of science and medicine. The Roman Empire’s political policies and governance structures also inspired the development of democracy, and many of the values and principles that govern the modern world can trace their roots back to this period of history.
The legacy of the Roman Empire is still felt today, and it is testament to the incredible political and economic success that was experienced during this period. Though the Roman Empire has long since vanished, its impact on the modern world will be felt for centuries to come.
Literature, Art, and Architecture
The Roman Empire was not only a powerful political and economic powerhouse, but also a great cultural center. From literature to art, and architecture, the Romans left an ineradicable mark on the world.
The Roman Empire was home to some of the most renowned writers and poets of the ancient world. Virgil and Ovid are considered two of the greatest writers in history, and their works are still read today. It was during the Roman Empire that their works were first composed and disseminated.
The Romans were also renowned for their great talent in the arts. Statues, sarcophagi, mosaics and wall paintings were all produced on a mass scale. These works of art can still be seen today in many of Rome’s ancient monuments.
The grandeur and complexity of Roman architecture has had a lasting impact on the world. Roman architecture is typified by its vast structures, such as the Colosseum and the Pantheon, and its influence can be seen in buildings of all centuries.
Religion and Mythology
The religion of the Roman Empire was tightly interwoven with its mythology. In the Republic of Rome, many gods and goddesses were venerated, including Jupiter and Juno. These figures were seen as the source of all life and were given respect and veneration.
During the Imperial period, the Roman gods and goddesses were replaced by Christianity as the state religion. This new faith had a profound impact on Roman culture and government. The Emperor Constantine declared Christianity a legitimate religion and made it the official religion of the Roman Empire. This declaration had a lasting impact on the world and its legacy can still be felt today.
Roman mythology also had a lasting impact on western culture. Numerous legends and stories were created, including the tale of Romulus and Remus, the two brothers who founded the city of Rome. These stories provided a foundation for western culture, and they are still treasured in literature, film and art.
