The Roman Republic: Institutions and Expansion
The Roman Republic (509-27 BC)
After Brutus’ uprising, there were no kings to rule Rome. Patricians created several institutions to control Rome, such as the Senate, which was the most important ruling organ. It was an assembly composed of 300 members that belonged to the Patrician families. Once senators were chosen, they held the charge for life. They advised and controlled magistrates. The Senate had powers to decide about war and peace.
Citizens gathered in popular assemblies or comitia. Their main functions were to pass laws, elect magistrates, and decide about external policy (foreign affairs).
Many magistrates were elected annually and they were appointed to administer the city in several fields:
There were several kinds of magistrates:
Superior Magistrates:
- Censors: They made the census.
- Praetors: They had to judge crimes.
- Consuls: They were the most important magistrates in Rome. There were only two, and they presided over the Senate and ruled the army.
- Dictator: It was an exceptional charge that was appointed when there was a situation of national emergency. Once that situation ended, the dictator left his charge.
Inferior Magistrates:
- Quaestors: They were in charge of administering public money.
- Aediles: They were in charge of ruling towns.
- Plebeian Tribunes: They had to defend the interests of the plebs.
Roman Expansion During the Republic
Rome expanded and created an empire during the Republic:
- The Italian peninsula was conquered between 509 and 274 BC after fighting against Latins, Greeks, Gauls, Sabines, and Etruscans.
- Sicily, Sardinia, and Corsica were occupied after the First Punic War (264-241 BC) against the Carthaginians.
- Spanish Mediterranean coasts (Hispania) were conquered after winning the Second Punic War (218-202 BC) and defeating the Carthaginian leader, Hannibal.
- Tunisia and Carthage were occupied after winning against the Carthaginians in the Third Punic War (149-146 BC).
- The central part of Spain was conquered after the Lusitanian and Celtiberian Wars (155-133 BC).
- East Mediterranean Sea: Greece, Anatolian peninsula, Near East (2nd century BC).
- Gaul was conquered by Julius Caesar around 50 BC.
Crisis of the Republic
The Republic suffered a severe crisis in the 1st century BC. It was a period in which corruption was widespread. Social inequality was common and social struggles were frequent. There were internal struggles that led to Civil Wars. Generals gained more influence in politics, which allowed them to obtain political positions. Triumvirates were instituted in order to control the situation:
- First Triumvirate: Composed by Julius Caesar, Crassus, and Pompey.
There were many conflicts with Julius Caesar since he accumulated powers and was appointed as a dictator in 51 BC. Julius Caesar was finally assassinated in 44 BC by Brutus. A new Civil War broke out.
- Second Triumvirate: Composed by Lepidus, Octavian, and Mark Antony.
A war began between Octavian and Mark Antony that ended after the Battle of Actium (31 BC), in which Mark Antony was defeated. Therefore, the Empire was established.