The Roman Republic

Introduction

Roman Republic began in 509 BCE and lasted nearly five centuries.
Transition from kings to a republic in 509 BCE.
The term "Republic" translates to "public matter", emphasizing public participation in government.

Senate: central governing body, met in a building that was preserved by being converted into a church.
Assemblies: multiple assemblies including democratic assemblies like the Plebeian Council.
Magistrates: Executive officials elected annually, with each office having two individuals to prevent abuse of power.
- Example: Two consuls could veto each other.

Polybius admired the Roman Republic for integrating three forms of government described by Aristotle:
- Monarchy: embodied by the consuls who had considerable executive power.
- Aristocracy: represented by the Senate, composed of influential and wealthy families.
- Democracy: reflected in the popular assemblies, like the Plebeian Council.
This mixed constitution was believed to provide checks and balances.

Senators were the most influential despite technically being an advisory body.
Senators were typically the wealthiest and most powerful families, enhancing their political clout.
Senate members were often former magistrates, thus consolidating power within a small elite.
Cicero emerged as an influential 'new man' from outside the traditional aristocracy.

Expansion over Italy: From the 4th century BCE, Rome conquered and integrated Italian territories by offering local self-governance and citizenship.
Punic Wars: Major conflicts with Carthage including the famous Second Punic War led by Hannibal, resulting in Rome's dominance over the Mediterranean.
- First Punic War: Rome gained Sicily.
- Second Punic War: Hannibal's famous march with elephants; ended with Roman victory at Zama (202 BCE).
- Third Punic War: Complete destruction of Carthage.
Expansion in the East: Wars with Macedonian and other Hellenistic kingdoms leading to control over Greece and parts of Asia Minor.

Land Issue: Massive influx of slaves led to wealthy landowners acquiring more land, impoverishing small farmers who moved to Rome as economic refugees.
- Lead to a destabilizing effect in Rome due to the concentration of poor, angry citizens.
Military Consequences: Reduction in eligible soldiers from the farmer class weakened the military system.
Governorship Corruption: Senators serving as provincial governors often engaged in corruption without facing prosecution, further undermining the Senate's integrity.
- Example: Cicero's prosecution of the corrupt governor Verres in Sicily.

Increasing difficulty in maintaining senatorial authority and reputation.
Social and economic inequalities exacerbated by expansion and corruption.
These internal issues eventually paved the way for civil wars and the rise of Julius Caesar, marking the end of the Republic.

The transition and conflicts within the Roman Republic illustrate the challenges and eventual collapse due to internal contradictions despite initial stability and expansion success.