Intro+Paragraph+-+Rome

Classical Rome began as a Republic that was made up of senators, consuls, which were generals, and tribunes. This system allowed for a spread of power that was so important to the Roman people. The consuls were only allowed to serve for one year because the people feared that they would gain too much power and the senate voted on decisions so no single person controlled the government. This government allowed for effective expansion of Rome. This expansion was brutal as consuls led their armies to battle against surrounding areas. Much disputation over the economic imbalance between the rich and the poor caused problems for expansion. Imperial expansion changed roman society and politics such as new trade and wealth which was the reason for the gap between lowers classes and the upper classes. Slaves were claimed from the brutal conquering of the Romans. They were considered more prestigious than the rural, free farmers and workers. This expansion ended when consuls began to crave more power. Julius Caesar was the main factor of this change as his want for power pushed him to create civil war in Rome. The first triumvirate was won by Caesar who, even after winning, never proclaimed himself emperor. After working for the poor through his life, Caesar was assassinated and his nephew Augustus came to power. Augustus proclaimed himself emperor and took away the senate’s power. After this transition Rome was never the same. With problems with transition of leaders the empire never reached the glory of the previous republic. Eventually the empire split in half and the east became the Byzantine empire while the west fell due to internal division and outside invasions.