Ancient Rome

Ancient Rome was a civilization that existed in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East between 753 BC and its downfall in AD 476. For several centuries, the Romans controlled the whole of Western Europe, as well as the entire area surrounding the Mediterranean Sea and some of the area surrounding the Black Sea.

Government

Roman Kingdom

Roman Republic

The class struggles of the Roman Republic resulted in a mixture of democracy and oligarchy. Democratic institutions included the various popular assemblies, which elected magistrates and made some other important decisions. The senate represented oligarchy.

Related Topics:
Roman Republic - Democracy - Oligarchy - Popular assemblies - Senate

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The republic had no fixed bureaucracy and only collected war taxes. Private citizens aspiring to high office largely paid for public works. In order to prevent any citizen gaining too much power, new magistrates were elected annually and had to share power with a colleague. For example, under normal conditions the highest authority was held by two consuls. In an emergency a temporary dictator could be appointed.

Related Topics:
Consul - Dictator

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During the Republic the administrative system was revised several times to comply with new demands. In the end it proved inefficient for controlling the vastly expanded empire. This was one of the reasons for the birth of the Roman Empire.

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Roman Empire

Provinces and intermediate level

See also: Pretorian Prefectures, Dioceses, Roman provinces

Related Topics:
Pretorian Prefectures - Diocese - Roman province

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Local administration

See also: Municipia, Coloniae

Related Topics:
Municipia - Coloniae

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Ruling Bodies

Senate

The Roman Senate was an advisory body consisting of some of the most influential citizens. It held great authority (auctoritas in Latin), but no actual legislative power (imperium). In the Roman Republic the Censors chose new members for the Senate among the most accomplished citizens. They could also remove a senator from his office if he was found morally corrupt. Later, membership in the Senate followed from the election as a Quaestor. In the Roman Empire the Emperor appointed senators, although for much of the time of the Empire elections were still held, and the results followed. However, this veil of democracy, created by Augustus at the beginning of the transformation from Republic to Empire, was deceiving. In reality, no one disliked by the Emperor could stand. The lists for elections were carefully monitored by the Emperor's civil service, and pruned as necessary. Furthermore, when there was a competitive election, the Emperor would issue his opinion on who should be elected. Needless to say that the smiled upon would always get elected.

Related Topics:
Roman Senate - Imperium - Roman Republic - Censor - Quaestor - Roman Empire - Augustus

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