Government in ancient rome
Rome, in its earliest days, was governed by kings. However, Ancient Rome developed its own form of government that allowed the
Romans to govern themselves. Rome was remarkably democratic when its own people were concerned. Citizens of Rome
would gather at an assembly to elect their own officials. The chief officials of Rome were called consuls, there were two of them. The consuls governed for one year. If they did not live up to the expectations of the Roman people, they could be voted out of office at the next election. Quite similar to the way we govern today. Other than consuls, there were other elected officials. In addition, there were ten people elected to look after the poor of Rome. From 509 BC to 27 BC, Rome was governed as a republic. When the Roman Empire started to grow and Rome became a more powerful city, a top government position became a more fought for spot. Julius Caesar wanted to control all of Rome and its empire. This ended the system of government used in Ancient Rome for many years, until, when making a speech in the Senate to support his belief in a one-man rule, Caesar was murdered by Brutus who wanted to keep the old way of government back, just like most of the people. However, this murder did not enforce the old way of governing as Caesar’s supporters started a civil war to try to force their hopes of a one-man rule into Rome. The war was long and costly. Exhaustion led to many Romans supporting Augustus, Caesar’s nephew. Augustus was seen as a strong ruler and he became emperor in 27 BC, bringing to an end the republic of Rome.
L.D.
Romans to govern themselves. Rome was remarkably democratic when its own people were concerned. Citizens of Rome
would gather at an assembly to elect their own officials. The chief officials of Rome were called consuls, there were two of them. The consuls governed for one year. If they did not live up to the expectations of the Roman people, they could be voted out of office at the next election. Quite similar to the way we govern today. Other than consuls, there were other elected officials. In addition, there were ten people elected to look after the poor of Rome. From 509 BC to 27 BC, Rome was governed as a republic. When the Roman Empire started to grow and Rome became a more powerful city, a top government position became a more fought for spot. Julius Caesar wanted to control all of Rome and its empire. This ended the system of government used in Ancient Rome for many years, until, when making a speech in the Senate to support his belief in a one-man rule, Caesar was murdered by Brutus who wanted to keep the old way of government back, just like most of the people. However, this murder did not enforce the old way of governing as Caesar’s supporters started a civil war to try to force their hopes of a one-man rule into Rome. The war was long and costly. Exhaustion led to many Romans supporting Augustus, Caesar’s nephew. Augustus was seen as a strong ruler and he became emperor in 27 BC, bringing to an end the republic of Rome.
L.D.