The Government of Ancient Rome

From the time Rome was founded, to the time it fell, it was an odd combination of a republic and a democracy. Many of the ideas of Roman government came from the Greek govermnet. just as the Romans took ideas of thr Greek government, we took the Roman idea of the three branch system of government.

For 2,000 years Rome had, essentially, the same government system. This prevailing government system was the Roman Rebublic. The Roman Rebuplic began in 500 B.C. and lasted until 1500 A.D. There were two consuls in charge of the Roman Republic. Theseconsuls were in charge of the army/war.

Under the consuls, there were many other rulers. There were pretors, who were in charge of the courts. They were the chief law officers. There were also aedlles who were in charge of markets and construction. There were also censors. The censors were in charge of filling any vacancies in the Senate.

In Rome there began what is known as the first triumvarate. it consisted of three men, Pompey, Cassus, and Julius Caesar. Though each of the men in the triumvarate Caesar was overwhelmimgly popular among the citizens of Rome. Caesar then ends up havung an affair with Cleopatra VII. His affair eventually causes his death.

Then the second triumvirate was formed. It consisted of Octavian, Marc Antony, and Lepidus. It was created in 43 B.C.in many ways our government is like that of Ancient Rome. Although in some aspects our government is completly differnet.

Barnett, Mary. Gods and Myths of the Romans: the Archaeology and Mythology of Ancient Peoples. Smithmark Publishers. New York. 1996

Hadas, Moses. Imperial Rome. Time Inc Publishers. Canada 1965

The Aeneid and The Odyssey

Vergil, a Roman poet, was the author of The Aeneid. His real name was Publius Vergilius Maro. He was born on October 15th in 70 B.C. Although he was a Roman poet, he was originally from Ireland. Virgil studied science, astronomy, and philosophy under the Epicureans.

Homer was a Greek poet who attributed many great epics, one of them being The Odyssey. Homer was born in a Greek colony on the coast of Asia Minor around 1200 B.C. There have been arguments for a long period of time regarding weather or not Homer’s works were really written by him. Nothing about Homer can be known as completely factual.

“The Aeneid follows prince Aeneas and fellow Trojans as they sail to Italy after the fall of Troy. Aeneas suffers many hardships and sacrifices as the warrior prepares for his destiny: personifying the virtues that would bring a rebirth and golden age to Rome. Considered a fictional narrative, Virgil's myth-history brims with immortals, gods and goddesses, and glorification of Rome under its first emperor, Augustus, to whom Virgil dedicated his epic work.” (source)

The Odyssey is a Homeric poem about a man named Odysseus. The Odyssey tells the of the 10 year struggle of Odysseus while he’s trying to get back home after the Trojan War. Odysseus battles divine creatures and faces the rage of the gods. “His wife Penelope and his son Telemachus stave off a gaggle of suitors vying for Penelope's hand and the throne of Ithaca long enough for Odysseus to return. The Odyssey ends as Odysseus wins a contest to prove his identity, slaughters the suitors, and retakes the throne of Ithaca.” (source)

These two books and authors are very different, but they are similar as well. The Aeneid was non-oral and was developed with the aid of writing. However, in The Odyssey there were forms of improvised techniques that were utilized. Vergil imitates Homeric language in his plays. Vergil imitates the Homeric simile. He also uses some of Homer's poems as a basis for his story patterns.

Barnett, Mary. Gods and Myths of the Romans: the Archaeology and Mythology of Ancient Peoples. Smithmark Publishers. New York. 1996

Hadas, Moses. Imperial Rome. Time Inc Publishers. Canada 1965

Foundation Myths of Ancient Rome

Nobody is really sure who founded Rome. Some believe that Aeneas was responsible for it. Others believe that Romulus, and his twin brother, Remus founded Rome. Both assumptions are based on legend. The story of Romulus and Remus is a little far-fetched compared to the story of Aeneas.

The story of Romulus and Remus goes something like this: Romulus and Remus were the sons of Vestal Virgin and Rhea Silvia. When the twins were born, Numitor (their grandfather) wished to have them put to death. The boys were then left on a river bank. Left for dead, the boys were found by a she-wolf. The she-wolf nursed the boys and a woodpecker fed and guarded them.

Faustulus, a swineherd, took them into his care. He gave them a fine education. The boys grew up to have incredible strength and looks. Romulus, the name that inspired Rome, killed his brother Remus in a fight over which one of them would rule over Rome. It is recorded that Romulus served as the first king of Rome.

The story of Aeneas, also based on myth, is more believable and real: Aeneas is known to some as the father of Rome. Aeneas is a heroic character in the Iliad.
it is prophesied that the descendants of Aeneas would be kings . It is recorded by historians that Aeneas founded Rome and named it "Rhome", meaning strength.

These two ideas of the founding of Rome are very different. Though they are similar in the fact that they are both based on myth. One of these myths is more believable than the other, but they are both ,still, very trusted in. I guess we will never know how Rome was really founded and who founded it.

Barnett, Mary. Gods and Myths of the Romans: the Archaeology and Mythology of Ancient Peoples. Smithmark Publishers. New York. 1996

Marks, Anthony, and Graham Tingay. The Romans. Usborne. London. 1990.