Comparing ancient civilizations can help today’s
world understand growth and decline of cultures. Learn more about the
world's greatest civilizations by studying the Roman Empire.
During
Rome’s pre-history in the Bronze Age, Greek and Roman cultures
contacted. By the Iron Age, around circa 1000 BC to circa 800 BC, huts
started to crop up all over Rome. The Etruscans extended civilization to
Campania and the Greeks sent colonists and explorers to the Italic
Peninsula. The Roman world expanded for more than a millennium and Roman
government continued to evolve from the Roman kings period to the
Empire. Central Roman history occurs from approximately circa 200 BC to
circa 200 AD, or the late Republic period to Severan emperors.
Roman Kings
In
this fascinating period, seven kings ruled Rome. Some were Roman kings
and others were Etruscan or Sabine. The cultures combined and the
competition for land and creation of political alliances began. Rome
grew about 350 miles from its radius during the period. Ultimately, the
Roman people did not enjoy a monarchy and cast off this form of
government. The last king sat until approximately 510 BC. During this
period, Rome’s leaders expanded the power base and became a powerful
entity in the ‘world’ of the time.
Early-Late Republic
After
the last king was dethroned, a new type of leadership began. The
principate, initiated by Augustus, continued through the end of circa
100 BC. The Republic lasted almost five centuries. The early republic
ended as the Punic Wars began. The quest for power and the decline of
the Empire occurred in sync. The people lost the sense of patriotism and
no longer cared as much about the Republic. They no longer celebrated
historical heroes and individuals instead became focused on personal
power. The Gracchi told the people that the lower classes were all
important, but the political reforms they embraced divided people. Blood
was shed. Although Marius worked at reforming Rome’s army, Sulla worked
against him. Marius’ relation by marriage, Julius Caesar, provoked
Roman civil war. He became a dictator and was later assassinated by
fellow consuls, calling an end to the Late Roman Republic.
Principate
