The Roman Republic started when they overthrew a Eustracan king. They decided to try and start their own thing. It became one of the most successful republics in the history of the world. They elected representatives on their own behalf. The aristocracy dominated the republic early on. The aristocrats were known as patricians. Tradition stated that patricians and plebeians should strictly be separated.
The Roman Empire became a powerful civilization because of location and resources. Italy being located right on the Mediterranean Sea and between other powerful …show more content…
The transformation was subtle and long term. The is said be the Roman Constitution was designed for the governance of Rome and their surrounding areas, and was undermined over time as Rome began to conquer overseas places. The office of the Tribune of the People became the key office in exploiting the spoils of other countries; factions doing something for that office became corrupt in its attainment and death. Because of the infighting and political crash, eventually one man strengthened enough power to become Emperor. Considering the US in the world today and its disregard for its founding documents and focus on the all powerful President, one can't help be struck with the similarities and how history repeats itself and if in fact, the US Republic founded only a few hundred years ago is now the American …show more content…
Many wars and overspending had significantly lightened imperial wealth, and oppressive taxes and inflation had widened the gap between wealthy and poor. In the hope of avoiding the taxman, many members of the wealthy classes had even fled to the countryside and set up independent plots of land. At the same time, the empire was struck by a labor shortfall. Rome’s economy depended on slaves to work the fields and work as craftsmen, and its military might had traditionally provided a fresh flood of conquered peoples to put to work. But when expansion ground to a halt in the second century, Rome’s supply of slaves and other war treasures began to dry up. A further blow came in the fifth century, when the Vandals claimed North Africa and began disturbing the empire’s trade by prowling the Mediterranean as pirates. With its economy faltering and its commercial and agricultural production in decline, the Empire began to lose its grip on Europe, Then eventually