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