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The Roman Republic

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Posted by Your Guide on May 4, 2006 5:28 PM

Around 700 B.C., people who would come to be known as Etruscans settled in Northern Italy, eventually forming a complex society. They built stone walled cities and massive stone temples, as well as complex irrigation canals. They also set up a king-led government. Meanwhile, Greeks were settling in southern Italy. The area that would become the city of Rome lay between the northern and southern parts of Italy. It’s proximity to the Tiger River made controlling it very desirable. After many wars, the Greek and Etruscan cultures blended together, ultimately birthing the city of Rome.

Around 500 B.C., the radical concept of democracy was blooming in Athens, Greece, and Roman aristocrats began to rebel against the authority of the Etruscan kings. Enlisting the aid of plebeians and slaves, the Romans overthrew the Etruscan rule and established a primitive democratic government. The Roman army proceeded to conquer the surrounding cities and envelop them into their society, ultimately forming the Roman Republic. Residents of the conquered cities were given the right to vote and required to pay taxes to Rome. They were also required to enlist men in the Roman army, allowing the military to grow and prosper and enabling them to continue conquering their neighbors.

By 274 B.C. the Romans had gained possession of all of Italy, and by 146 B.C. they were the only important power left in the Mediterranean, controlling almost the entire coastline.

After a series of wars, the Roman Senate lost power to the point of being unable to successfully govern the growing empire. Three men joined forces and ultimately ruled the empire for ten years: Pompey, Crassus, and Julius Caesar (though Ceasar was busy conquering Gaul [modern day France] during their reign). Crassus was killed fighting the Parthians in West Asia, leaving Pompey and Julius Caesar fighting one another to determine who would rule. Caesar was ultimately victorious at the battle of Pharsalus, leaving Pompey to flee to Egypt, where the Egyptians murdered him so they could maintain good favor with the Republic’s new leader.

In Egypt, Caesar met Cleopatra, the Greek queen sent to Egypt to rule on her country’s behalf. Their relationship formed a mighty alliance until Caesar’s declaration of his dictatorship angered the Roman officials and they murdered him in 44 B.C. Cleopatra soon transferred her affections to Mark Anthony, Caesar’s friend and confidant.

Subsequently, a new alliance was formed: Mark Anthony, Lepidus and Octavian, (Caesar's nephew). Lepidus was forced out of power and Anthony and Octavian entered a civil war. In 31 B.C. Octavian conquered Anthony and Cleopatra in battle.



Next Page: The Roman Empire

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