Rome is considered to have been one of the most advanced civilizations of its time, and its early governance achieved remarkable successes. Its first governing body was the so-called Roman Kingdom, a monarchy that functioned from about 753 BC to 509 BC. It was a period of great accomplishments but also immense social disruption and political conflicts.
The monarchy was the dominant form of government in Ancient Rome, and came about through the efforts of Lucius Junius, the first of the seven legendary Kings of Rome. Although his name means he was a son of Jupiter, history tells us this was only a title attributed to him by later writers. He was actually the descendant of Aeneas, the lyrical hero, who was believed to be the founder of Rome.
Initially, this first government was characterized by an elective monarchy, and any male of the patrician (elite) class over 30 years of age could be elected. Succession was hereditary, and the King had the right to appoint his successor, with the approval of the Senate (magistrates or advisors). His primary duty was to make sure his citizens respected the divine laws of the Gods, and in order to do that he himself needed to demonstrate piety and justice.
The King’s authority over both religious and civic matters was absolute, and he was guided mainly by Roman patrons – men of privilege and influence, who could manage people and resources in the service of the state. One of their main role was to advise the King and ensure his decisions would not be unsatisfactory to the citizens of Rome. Nevertheless, the patronage system was viewed by some as open to favoritism, and for this reason it had to be constantly monitored.
During the Republic period which followed the monarchy, Roman governance also contributed to the international prestige of the Empire. This period (from 509 BC to 27 BC) marked the transition from the monarchy to the consuls, a two-man executive committee, who were chosen annually and represented their respective factions. Meanwhile, the Senate became the body of policy advisors, and the governors of the provinces were appointed by the Senate.
The Senate’s role in the Roman government was unique: it held most of the real power, despite the presence of the consuls and the purpose of the Roman assemblies (people’s assemblies) being mainly to ratify the decisions of the Senate. As such, it can be said that the Senate was the most influential power of the Republic period, as it had a hand in every aspect of Roman life, from foreign and domestic policy to religious and administrative matters.
The transition of Ancient Rome from the Monarchy to Republic
The transition from the monarchy to the Republic period was facilitated after the overthrow of Lucius Tarquinius Superbus, the seventh and last of the legendary Kings of Rome. It is commonly accepted that this was a period of great turmoil, marked by internal conflicts, famine and economic crisis. However, the period was also characterized by the development of new institutions, such as the Senate and the consuls.
The transition to the Republic meant the formation of a new political system based on the principle of co-governance. This was an important step in the development of Ancient Rome, as it guaranteed that no single individual or family had absolute power, and thus facing the risk of corruption.
At the same time, the transition also led to the establishment of two annual assemblies, the Comitia Centuriata and the Comitia Tributa. The first consisted of Roman citizens sorted into groups (centuries) according to their wealth and social class, while the second included all Roman citizens without distinction. The assemblies were the legal guardians of the Republic, as they had the power to devolve power to the consuls, elect magistrates, ratify laws and ratify treaties.
The transition to the Republic also resulted in the establishment of Roman law, based on the Twelve Tables which were enacted in 449 BC. These were the first codified laws in Ancient Rome, and provided a new and more organized form of Roman governance.
The role of the Senate in the governance of Ancient Rome
During the Republic era, the Senate entrenched its influence and became the most powerful force of governance in Ancient Rome. The Senate acted as the ultimate authority, responsible for ratifying laws, declaiming wars, ratifying treaties and deciding which advisors should have access to the Emperor.
The Senate was composed of members from prominent Roman families, who held great influence and wealth. This resulted in the rise of powerful political parties, such as the aristocratic patricians and the plebeians, which competed for power and influence in the Senate. This gave the Senate a more democratic appearance, but its decisions were still dictated by the interests of the wealthier classes.
At the same time, the Senate was also an important forum for deliberation and debate, and as such it was an important contributor to the governance of Ancient Rome. It provided a forum for civil and religious discussion, as well as a means to discuss and formulate policy on key matters such as international affairs, military operations, public works and taxation.
Furthermore, the Senate was also the highest legislative court in Ancient Rome, and responsible for making judicial decisions. Members of the Senate were chosen for their wisdom and legal knowledge, and their decisions were binding on all Roman citizens.
The role of the Emperor in the governance of Ancient Rome
The role of the Emperor in Ancient Rome was equivocal: he was seen as the supreme authority and a guarantor of the rule of law and justice. The position of Emperor was also responsible for setting and enforcing laws, presiding over international negotiations and political debates, appointing magistrates and governors and presiding over religious ceremonies and rites.
If the Emperor failed in his role, the Senate was able to depose him and replace him with a new candidate, chosen from among the Legionnaires. However, the Emperor had the authority to veto new laws and ratify treaties, and also had the final say in all matters relating to state and foreign affairs.
The position of Emperor was also very influential in terms of religious matters. Emperors were believed to rule by divine right, and as such, they had to guarantee their citizens the due respect for the Gods and the observance of religious ceremonies. This was seen as a way for the Emperor to display his piety and to gain the people’s support.
In conclusion, it is clear that the governing structure of Ancient Rome was an extremely complex system, with a number of different levels of power. The first government of Ancient Rome, the monarchy, was characterized by an elective monarchy, which was replaced by the Republic period. The Senate was the most powerful institution during this period and played a key role in controlling and shaping the laws and policies of the state. Finally, the Emperor was an important figure in Ancient Rome and represented the supreme authority.
The Decline and Fall of the Ancient Roman Government
The Ancient Roman government faced a steady decline and eventual collapse due to various factors, including political turmoil, military defeats and social unrest. The instability created by the succession of new emperors and frequent civil wars between rival political factions weakened the centralized power of the Roman government. This allowed provincial leaders to assume greater power and independence, while military defeats in foreign countries led to the loss of coveted territories, economic decline and the erosion of Roman prestige.
At the same time, the government became increasingly corrupt and inefficient, and the Roman currencies depreciated drastically, leading to ever-increasing taxation. This created immense social unrest and frequent rebellions, particularly amongst the provinces, who often failed to recognize and abide by the rule of law.
The decline of the Ancient Roman government was hastened by the spread of Christianity and the adoption of different ideologies. The traditional Roman religion and morality were challenged by the Christian doctrine, while different philosophical theories threatened the status quo. This resulted in a gradual erosion of the values that underpinned the Ancient Roman government, leading to its eventual decline.
The decline of the Roman government was also hastened by a marked decline in the Roman army’s effectiveness. The army was weakened by moral decay and internal divisions, leading to a series of defeats in foreign wars. This weakened the Roman Empire and contributed to its eventual decline and fall.
The Legacy of the Ancient Roman Government
Despite the decline and fall of the Ancient Roman government, the legacy of Ancient Rome still shapes our world today. Its system of governance was advanced for its time, and all modern political principles owe much to the structure and workings of the Roman Republic. The Roman Senate has been an inspiration for many of the world’s governing bodies
