Background Information
In ancient times, Rome was an early form of democracy, with voting rights restricted to wealthy, aristocratic men. This form of government dominated the region for centuries: even after classical Greece and the Roman Republic fell, its influence lingered long into the Middle Ages, when other forms of government were becoming more commonplace throughout Europe. It’s no exaggeration to say that the form of government practiced in Ancient Rome has shaped societies for nearly 2000 years.
The Republic
The Roman Republic, founded in 509 BC, was the first government to be developed in the Roman Empire. A wealthy and powerful oligarchy of aristocrats and patricians, the Roman Senate, controlled the Republic. Although the Senate was an unelected body, the Republic’s laws were subject to the will of its citizens. At the peak of its power, the Republic was a significant force in the Mediterranean, colonizing countries, defeating Greece and expanding its borders.
The Roman Empire
The Roman Empire, founded in 27 BC, was a much more sophisticated and organized form of government than the Republic had been. The Emperor Augustus assumed full control over both the Senate and the people. As the Roman Empire grew, it established a system of local and regional governments, as well as a central government in Rome. These regional governments were staffed by appointed officials, though local councils and assemblies still held much of the power in their respective areas.
The Augustan System
The Augustan System was an administrative and governmental framework implemented by Augustus, the first Roman Emperor. It was the first comprehensive effort to codify Roman law, establish a consistent system of taxation throughout the empire, and to centralize power. This system was based on a central, imperial bureaucracy with appointed governors who were responsible for the administration of their respective provinces.
Rome after Augustus
After the death of Augustus, the form of government in Rome went through several transformations, most notably in the late fourth century, when Emperor Constantine established the Byzantine Empire. The Byzantine Empire was a very different form of government than the Roman Empire: the emphasis shifted from a central Roman bureaucracy to a decentralized, religiously-oriented administrative structure. The Senate, once an enormously powerful political body, disappeared entirely.
The Feudal System
During the Middle Ages, the form of government in Rome shifted to a more decentralized feudal system, in which local lords and rulers held considerable power over their respective regions and villages. These rulers were often either directly appointed by the emperor or chosen by their populace to represent them. Feudalism, however, was far from a perfect system, and its tenure in Rome was short-lived and relatively inefficient.
The Renaissance
The Renaissance saw a sharp resurgence in the power of the Roman Senate, as well as a more efficient bureaucracy and a general sense of national identity. Once again, a wealthy aristocratic class held most of the power, though the power of the emperor was tempered by the influence of art and culture. The Renaissance also saw the rise of a strong merchant class, which exerted its influence on political and economic matters.
The Papal State
In the late 15th century, the Papal States were established, a sovereign country within the heart of Rome. The Papal States were a unique form of government, a theocracy based on the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. The Pope was both the spiritual and political leader of the state, and his word was law. Despite the fact that the Papal States were eventually overthrown in the 19th century, their influence on the culture, laws, and institutions of modern Italy can still be felt.
Scientific Revolution
The rise of the Scientific Revolution in the 17th century marked a major shift in the way government was conceived in Rome. Ideas such as the separation of powers, checks and balances, and the social contract, all of which are now commonplace in the modern western world, were first articulated in this period. The Scientific Revolution also saw the emergence of more democratic forms of government such as the republics in Northern Italy.
The Unification of Italy
The 19th century brought about the unification of Italy, a process in which the various kingdoms and regions of the Italian peninsula were united into one nation state with a single government. This process marked the end of the traditional forms of government in Rome and introduced a new era of modern democratic government to the region. The Unification of Italy also marked the beginning of the long-lasting and influential relationship between Italy and the United States.
The Modern Era
In the modern era, the form of government in Rome has remained largely unchanged. Italy is still a unitary republic, with a bicameral parliament, a president, and a prime minister. The country has strong ties with the European Union and has a vibrant and diverse economy. Although the Roman Republic and Empire may have been a distant memory, their influence and legacy have remained a powerful force within the Italian experience.
