Fall of the Roman Republic

Marisa Neptune

Mr. Davis, Mrs. Fadlalla, & Mrs. Kunhast

English 09/ World History I

16 March 2014

The Fall of the Roman Republic

Rome was founded by Romulus and Remus in 753 BC, who were "twin sons of the god Mars and a Latin princess" (Beck 155). The Tiber River is where the twins' parents abandoned them and left them to be raised by a she-wolf (Beck 155). The twins built the city of Rome near the river (Beck 155). This story is what helped understand how Rome was founded and built.

In reality, that story of the twins became a legend and three groups settled in Rome, which were the Latins, the Greeks, and the Etruscans (Beck 155). "Around 600 BC, an Etruscan became king of Rome" (Beck 156). Throughout time, other kings ruled until Rome had its last king, who was a harsh tyrant, called Tarquin the Proud (Beck 156). The Romans did not want any more kings; instead, they decided to form a Republic, which crumbled in the end (Beck 156). During 27 BC, the Roman Republic collapsed because of drastic economic turmoil, unfortunate military upheaval, and the power-hungry Julius Caesar.

The Roman republic began in 508 BC and lasted for about 482 years ("Roman Republic"). The main reason that the Republic was made was due to conflict and struggles between the Patricians and Plebeians. Patricians were those of nobility and higher rank and Plebeians were those who were of a lower class, usually referred to as common people ("Roman Republic"). They did not have a voice or a say when it comes to the government ("The Roman Republic") and usually were "average working citizens of Rome - farmers, bakers, builders or craftsmen - who worked hard to support their families and pay their taxes" ("Plebeians").

The Roman Republic is made up of three government branches known as the monarchic branch, the aristocratic branch, and the democratic branch ("The Roman Republic"). The monarchic branch was represented by two consuls ("The Roman Republic") who were leaders that helped rule the Roman Republic ("6a. The Roman republic") and commanded the army (Beck 157). The Senate represented the aristocratic branch. The Senate was a body of 300 members composed of patricians ("The Roman Republic") that would take care of the "legislative and administrative functions in the republic" (Beck 157). Assemblies represented the democratic branch of the republic and were the citizens who voted for their representatives and made laws (Beck 157). The assemblies " had the final say regarding the election of magistrates, the enactment of new laws, the carrying out of capital punishment, the declaration of war and peace, and the creation (or dissolution) of alliances" (Rodriguez).

Transition Economic turmoil contributed to the fall of the Roman Republic due to a gap between the rich and the poor, the Gracchus brothers' reforms, and a decline in trade and small industry. Rome faced a gap between the rich and the poor in which shook up the Roman Republic (Beck 160). Rome wanted to become wealthier (Beck 160) and that resulted in inflation (Andrews). Since inflation began, those who were poor and had small farms could not compete with the large, rich farms because "they did not have slaves" (Beck 160). The large farms decided to buy out the small farms ("Civil War in Rome and the end of the Roman Republic"). "Latifundia were huge estates built by patricians, who would be worked by slaves" (Starobinets).

Following farmers losing their land, Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus tried to help the poor in their time of struggle to help maintain stability in the lower classes of society ("THE ROMAN REPUBLIC"). Tiberius proposed to the assembly that there should be a limit to the size of farms taken by the rich so that land could be given back to the poor ("Civil War in Rome and the End of the Roman Republic"). His land bill was passed and stood for the next election for an extra year. He broke the rule of one-year offices and was murdered. Gaius attempted to make a protest as well but he failed and was crushed by a consul. Since he knew his death was imminent, he committed suicide ("THE RO M A N R E P U B L I C").

The deaths of both Gracchus brothers resulted in a civil war that started to break senatorial power ("Fall of the Roman Republic"). A decline in trade and small industry made the productivity break down and made Rome become very dependent on products that were imported from foreign countries ("Causes for the Fall of the Roman Empire"). Infrastructural development stopped due to the great reduction in trade.

The lack of loyalty and discipline of the Roman military plus the use of mercenaries and landless soldiers for fighting are other factors that led to the Roman Republic collapsing. Roman soldiers became disloyal and less disciplined. Generals would offer the Roman soldiers land and food in exchange for their loyalty ("Causes for the Fall of Roman Empire"). This was a way that generals tried to gain power for themselves (Starobinets). These commanders manipulated their recruited soldiers (Starobinets). "The senatorial order could no longer deal with military problems of the empire" ("FALL OF THE ROMAN REPUBLIC I"). Rome used mercenaries and landless soldiers for their military. The reason was because the senate lost control over the Roman military and reacted by handing power to the military commanders to control it ("FALL OF THE ROMAN REPUBLIC I")

The army was experiencing a deficit in the amount of men needed (Starobinets). The government decided to recruit new soldiers who fought for money, also known as mercenaries ("FALL OF THE ROMAN REPUBLIC I"). Even some farmers were drafted to be in the roman army (Patriot).

Julius Caesar was a major factor on the fall of the Roman Republic because of his involvement in the 1st triumvirate in 59 BC, his disobedience towards the Senate, and his assassination. Julius Caesar created a triumvirate with Cn. Pompeius Magnus and M. Licinius Crassus ("Lecture26: Fall of the Roman Republic, 133-27 BC). The main reason why Caesar established this triumvirate was in order to have power over Rome (Finnie). This gave them control over the Roman Republic ("Lecture26: Fall of the Roman Republic, 133-27 BC). "Caesar wanted more time to consolidate his wealth and power before entering politics in Rome" (Finnie).Caesar used Pompey and Crassus to his own advantage (Starobinets).The power of these three is what intimidated the senate ("Lecture26: