Providing Public Service: The Roman Republic

Romans were a civilization that originated after the Greek culture. They, like Greeks, saw an extreme significance in the idea of a love for one’s country and loyalty. The Romans, however, were more concerned with public affairs such as education, sanitation, and health. They held a strong connection with their ancestors and wished to imitate what the ancient Romans did. Although Romans rejected the idea of a Rex, or king, they favored the common hero. They wanted a leader who a “regular Joe”, someone who was average and could still led an average life after doing extraordinary things. The Romans also had a very defined government that was broken into consuls, senate, and assembly. There were two consuls who served in place of the king as the leaders of the Roman Empire. Next in succession was the senate, comprised only of patricians who debated and passed legislation. Finally, there was the assembly made for the plebeians to approve laws.

A republic, like Rome, moves at a maddeningly slow pace. Legislation is put through a system of checks and balances where rivals debate ad nauseum over proposed policies. In a perfect world, this ensures that only which is most beneficial for the state and her peoples becomes a reality. A Tyrant, however, can accomplish a great deal in only a short amount of time. A good leader, like Augustus, can propel his people forward unhindered by the chains of a republic. The Roman people, according to Tacitus: “prefered the security of the current regime to the dangers of old” (Yardley 2008, 3). Even if it lacked freedom, many were willing to submit to an empire if it meant stability and security.

Some policies and institutions of the Roman Republic were useful to help them succeed in conquering first Italy and then the Mediterranean world. Before of the institution of the republic, the romans were a monarchy since their beginning and they were basically a pastoral people. Rome suffer several changes and improvements under the control of the Etruscan kings. The Etruscan were civilization settled north of Rome in Etruria, and they once had control over almost all the Italic peninsula. The Etruscans influences in Rome were profound, they transformed Rome from a pastoral community to a city (91). The Etruscan built the street and roads that help the development of temples, markets, shops, streets, and houses. They basically brought urbanization to Rome. It is fairly to say that the Rome republic was a fusion between the elements of the Etruscan civilization and the Rome elements. The combination of the different political institutions and policies made the Romans succeed in their conquest territories.

Over a long course of time the Romans had many different forms of government. From oligarchies to dictatorships Rome had experience with most forms of government. With all of these happening so far in the past many questions are asked today. One of the most talked and quested forms of Roman government is the Roman Republic. The Republic of Rome is normally thought to be a democracy. But an extremely common question still arise. This questions is whether the Roman Republic was truly democratic. In a simple answer the Roman Republic was a democratic government.

After Julius Caesar was assassinated, the Roman Republic was overruled and transformed into the Roman Empire. The Republic had many flaws including the fact that it was based on inheritance, it had no genuine voice for the lower class, women, or slaves, and it was not strong enough to govern effectively and keep its citizens happy during endless wars. Ancient Rome only truly became powerful when it became an empire.

Rome had a better system due to the vast population, wider acceptance of citizens, and an organized Senate. It is important to include those specific attributes in an empire for organization and prevention of overpopulation. According to the background essay, citizens of a state or empire not only meant meeting certain responsibilities, but also enjoying certain rights. Citizenship is also defined as a status given by a government. In the modern world citizenship involves a balance between individual rights and responsibilities. In Rome however, the idea of a good citizen was particularly different. In contrast to modern day citizens, Roman citizens were looked upon how they acted with their family, neighbors, and property. Rome had a population

The Roman Republic received a C when it came to promote rule of law. It got a C because they created a new form of government called a republic. A republic gave citizens the right to vote. After all citizens could only vote which means if you weren’t a citizen you couldn’t vote. For instance, woman didn’t have the right to vote because they weren’t a citizen even though they lived in Rome.

When it came down to providing public services the Roman Republic earned B-. The reason it earned a B- because they made roads that were smooth and good to ride on this benefits everyone because people came to trade with them and when they were leaving so it benefited everyone. Also it earned a B- because they made aqueducts they channeled water to their crops and to their houses but the only problem with that were the pipes were led so that led to led poisoning

-The Roman Republic treated all parties fair in civil and criminal cases. The laws were all about the people of Rome. But, eventually a social contest came about called the Struggle of the Orders, and this caused chaos between different types/ groups of people.

The Roman Republic is a government that began in 509 BC and ended in 27 BC. First of all the Romans were trying to overthrow their Etruscan king (Tarquin the Proud). Etruscan kings had ruled for 100’s of years. After overthrowing the last king the Roman Republic formed. It’s a government in which citizens and representatives were to rule. The Republic was quite different from a democracy.

Rome was an amazing civilization that had help from the Etruscans and the Greeks in creating its culture. But did they meet the common good though? Rome has somewhat met the common good. The reason for this is, they did well at meeting the common good in providing public services and by preparing for common defence, but when it comes to promoting rule of law they didn’t do so well. The reason they didn’t do well is because they wouldn’t give fair punishments.

The Roman Republic was a “democratic” republic, which allowed first citizens to vote, and to choose their governors in the senate (Hence, their consuls). However, it was a nation ruled by its aristocracy, and, consequently, the entire Republic`s power was concentrated in a few individuals. Furthermore, the Senate was controlled by Patricians, which directed the government by using wealth to buy control and power over the decisions of the senate and the consuls. This situation aroused the inconformity of the people; as result, a civil war took place in the Republic (destroying it), and then the Roman Empire was born.

As Rome became independent from the Etruscan ruling, its government walked away from having a monarch and transformed into a Republic as a way to avoid the tyranny that many times comes with an absolute autocrat. Rigorous precautions were taken from the start in order to keep the power balanced. Moreover, the structure of the government was meant to be resilient to bad judgment. The structure of the Roman Republic with its government and law provided for a more just system.

Ancient Rome consisted of two main forms of government, the Republic and the Empire, each of which lasted about five centuries. At first, Rome was a republic, governed by members of wealthy classes. As the Republican form of government continued, a series of civil wars led to the breakdown of the system, and a new form of government, the Empire, was established in its place. The Empire began with a prolonged period of peace, the Pax Romana. However, like the Republic, the Empire also turned foul and collapsed after the Pax Romana. Still, a citizen of the Empire was better off than a citizen of the Republic. Health problems were less severe in the Empire than in the Republic. Moreover, the Empire was more peaceful and better able to provide necessities for average citizens than the Republic was. The political situation was also better in the Roman Empire. The Roman Empire generally provided a healthier and higher quality of civic life than the Roman Republic.

After the Ancient Greeks lost their power and faded away, Rome took its place as the new power. From a republic to an empire, Rome quickly grew into the world’s leading nation. Unlike Greece, Rome did not focus on innovation but rather shifted their attention on improving and adapting methods that already exist to create a more practical and “Roman” style. Rome’s worldview of Utilitarianism, which can be seen in all aspects of Roman life including government, architecture and literature united the nation into a distinct and prosperous empire.