Changes And Continuities In Rome Research Paper

     Rome's vast empire lasted for an amazing one thousand-year reign. Half of it referred to as the republic, and the other as the empire. However, after its fall in 5oo-a.d. Rome has still remained in existence through its strong culture, architecture, literature, and even religion (Spielvogel 175). Even after its disappearance as a nation Rome left behind a legacy that will never be forgotten. Its ideals and traditions have been immolated, and adopted for over two thousand years. Whether, it is through its language of Latin, its influence of religion, or its amazing architectural ability Rome has influenced almost every culture following its demise. The heritage of Rome has

The First Triumvirate between Gaius Julius Caesar, Gnaius Pompeius Magnus (Pompey) and Marcus Licinius Crassus contributed to the fall of the Roman Republic by undermining the Senate, which was unable to effectively deal with an expanding and diverse empire. This was affected by the triumvirate appealing directly to popular assemblies, because their alliance conflicted directly with the conservative Optimates, who refused to change with Rome's expansion. Though ultimately because each triumvir, being an ambitious general and politician was clambering for the same place; to be top man of Rome. The very inception of the Triumvirate, and the resulting power swing it created was the beginning of the end for the Republic.

Between 500 BCE and 500 CE, the Roman civilization experienced changes both politically and culturally. Firstly, Rome’s government transitioned from a Republic to an Empire. Later, that empire was split into two parts; east and west. In terms of changes in culture, it was impacted by the shift in religion, as the Romans shifted from polytheism to monotheism. Despite all the changes, Rome still remained culturally diverse.

First, The Roman Republic had three main units and other small branches, much like America’s government. For the first main unit, there is a dictator that was elected by the people and took total control of Rome during a crisis, such as food shortages, wars, and other things. The second main unit is the Senate that collected taxes and passed all of the laws. For the last unit there are the Consuls that had control over the military when not in a crisis. They were elected by majority like America’s government. They also chose the senate members. And that is how Ancient Rome’s government worked.

From 509 BC to about 27 BC, Rome was considered a republic. During this time there was no single leader of Rome and the government was run by elected officials. The main leaders of the Roman Republic were the consuls. There were always two consuls in power at a time. Each year new consuls were elected to serve for a one-year term. This kept any one man from becoming too powerful in the government. At the time the Senate was the most powerful governing body in Rome. The Senate had control of the state’s finances and foreign policies. Senators were elected by the people to represent them in government. The Senate was made up of 300 of the most elite and wealthiest of the Roman Republic. One of the most important roles of the Senate to undergo the checks and balances of the Roman government. Checks and balances are the “principle of government under which separate branches are empowered to prevent actions by other branches and are induced to share power” (The Editors). The checks and balances of Rome helped to stabilize the government and allowed the power to be distributed somewhat equally between the consul, the Senate, and the people. However, the fall of the Roman Empire eliminated this type aspect of government in Rome (Kagan 101-103).

Rome began in 31 BCE when Augustus Caesar became the first emperor of Rome, and the Roman empire was a significant and powerful western civilization with a complex political, religious, and social system by 117 CE (Mark, Roman Empire). From the parallel streets in cities of the Roman empire to the layout of the Roman forum to the living structures of the different classes, the Roman empire at this time was highly organized and methodical. And these are but a few examples of the power and authority of the Roman empire, which clearly put the citizens in their place. Looking at Rome and Pompeii, ancient art, building structures, and city layouts clearly stratified citizens based on economic and social status.

The laws relevant to men almost always protect them and their rights but laws relevant to women equally constrict and oppress their already limited rights. Women and children could often be executed for opposing men on various issues or performing various actions, yet children in some instances still had more rights than women. Fathers ultimately held the power in a family and men ruled over society. This is not unique to Rome, all over the ancient world men held majority, if not all, the power in society and the laws they drafted protected them and oppressed those who could possibly pose a threat to the

In the third century the Roman Empire was in turmoil. Civil wars were tearing the empire apart. Several different individuals took their turn as leader of the empire and attempted to fix things but none were in office or stuck around for more than a couple years at a time. All this changed when Diocletian rose through the ranks to become emperor.

The Roman government was democratic when it came to the citizens. The citizens could elect their own officials, and the officials were supposed to represent every level of Roman society. There were many types of officials. The two consuls were the chief officials of Rome. Once elected, they served for two years (Trueman, Chris). One of their most important powers was controlling the army (Government under Roman Republic). When they were unsure of a course of action, they were advised by the Senate, a council of around six hundred male citizens (Trueman, Chris). Those six hundred men were usually from wealthy patrician families and were the ones in charge of making the laws and controlling the spending. Contrary to the election of the other officials, the Senate was appointed by the current Consuls. Once they were appointed, they served for life. When one member died, another was chosen in their place (Government).

The Roman Empire was one of the most influential civilizations of all time and they left a mark not only during its reign but also during its decline. Roman architecture styles are still very much in use today as is their government style. However, their fall was what impacted the world the most; this fall is the reason today Christianity has so much influence on western culture and why Europe is separated from the rest of its continent. This fall caused a massive decline in the living standards and the people who had once walked the streets of Rome were left with nearly nothing. They took up farming, like their ancestors long before them and did so in exchange for protection.

In Rome, two consuls ruled for a year. Caesar was elected for consul and the other consul was Bibulus. Caesar spoke on behalf of the lower and middle class of Rome. Bibulus spoke on behalf of the upper class. Caesar noticed the Senate wasn’t very fond of him, so he created the triumvirate. The triumvirate was an alliance that benefited all its members. It consisted of Caesar, Crassus, and

In the ancient Italian peninsula, numerous languages were spoken in many different regions. The most influential, extending to modern-times, is Latin. Latin was the vernacular of the region of Latium; the same region that gave rise to the remarkable city of Rome. Rome was perhaps the greatest empire to have taken shape in history, exerting an infinite amount of influence in politics, medicine, civilization, military, and language. While Rome spread her borders, Latin would soon become the lingua franca of the Mediterranean world and beyond. The war against the vast Carthaginian Empire that enabled the Romans to rule the known-world and establish their long-lasting influence will be examined.

The Roman Republic and the Roman Empire is significant in world history because of the significant impact of the change in government in the world. The change in the government overtime changed the culture of the Rome. The change from the Roman Republic to the Roman Empire changed many factors for Rome including religion, and government structure. Even though some factors of the culture stayed such as the language. The

Conservation of Roman and Greek Culture when the Roman Empire in the West crumpled in 476, numerous libraries and spots of learning were devastated in the turmoil and a significant part of the information that had been increased under the Greek and Roman human advancements was lost. However the eastern portion of the Roman Empire, the Byzantine, survived. Subsequently, the Byzantine served to protect a great part of the Greek and Roman progressions for Western Europe. Most critical was the safeguarding of Roman law by Emperor Justinian, the Byzantine's most prominent sovereign. Justinian arranged and deciphered the Roman law codes furthermore developed the current codes. Thus, these law codes were protected and have turned into the premise

Ancient Rome’s culture has existed throughout the almost 1200- year history of the civilization of Ancient Rome. Ancient Rome adapted most of their culture from their neighbors the Greeks and Etruscans. Ancient Rome culture has been affecting our modern world from colosseums and satre, for entertainment, to the name of Roman gods, for constellations. In Ancient Rome their entertainment included gladiator fighting and Roman Theater. Ancient Rome’s arts were greatly influenced on the art Ancient Greece. Sculpture played an important role on Roman daily life; they would symbol honor, power, and wealth. Homes of the Roman people were often filled with paintings called (frescos) which were directly painted on walls. Most of Ancient Rome’s culture and Arts has affected our modern world and daily life.