Roman Govt
The Romans have had almost every type of government there is. They've had a kingdom, a republic, a dictatorship, and an empire. Their democracy would be the basis for most modern democracies. The people have always been involved with and loved their government, no matter what kind it was. They loved being involved in the government, and making decisions concerning everyone. In general, the Romans were very power-hungry. This might be explained by the myth that they are descended from Romulus, who's father was Mars, the god of war. Their government loving tendencies have caused many, many civil wars. After type of government, the change has been made with a civil war. There have also been many civil wars between rulers. But it all boils down to wanting to be involved in government. When the Greeks finally entered Troy after ten long years of siege, a man named Aeneas escaped the city with his father, Anchises, and his son, Ascanius. They went to Mt. Ida, where they were to meet Aeneas' wife, Creusa, but she never showed up. Saddened, Aeneas acquired a boat and sailed around the Mediterranean. He bounced around from Asia Minor to Greece to Crete looking for a place to found a new Troy, but he couldn't find a satisfactory plac
When Romulus founded Rome in 753 BC, he made himself the king. Being a brand new city, it had very few people. Romulus built up the population by allowing anybody who wanted to live there, including criminals who flocked to the city. This caused a shortage of women. To get some, the Romans hosted athletic games and invited their neighbors, the Sabines. While they were at the games, some of the Romans sneaked off and stole the Sabine women (Burrell 14-15). Realizing what had happened, the Sabines prepared their army. Expecting this, the Romans were ready and the two forces lined up preparing to fight. Surprisingly, some of the women ran into the no-man's-land in between the armies. This is what their leader said: The fourth king, Ancus Martius, was a Sabine. He extended Rome's boundary to the sea and built the Pons Sublicus, the firstbridge across the Tiber. He also captured the Janiculum hill on the far bank. long after the Republic was formed, the Patricians closed off immigration of new patriarchal families. Gibson, Elke. Personal Interview. 19 March 1997. Since anyone was allowed to reside, Rome had great diversity in its people. There were three main ethnic groups: the Romans, who were first generation, the Sabines, and the Latins, who Romulus is descended from. The Sabines lived in the mountains east of the Tiber and north of the Latins. Later on, another group of people called the Etruscans started moving in. They were unique in that their language had no relation to any other known language, the only one like that. "He banished all luxury and softness from his own home, and... in private he devoted himself not to amusement... but to the worship of he immortal gods." (Nardo 19) "The Patricians dreaded the Plebians [who were striking].... How long could it be supposed that the multitude which had seceded would remain inactive? And what would be the consequence if in the meantime a foreign war should break out? No glimpse of hope could they see left except in concord between the citizens, which must be re-established in the state on any terms." (Nardo 28) Caesar. Computer Software. Encarta Encyclopedia, 1996 ed. In 28 BC, Octavian and Agrippa became consuls. After one year, they turned the state over to "the free decision of the Senate and People of Rome" (Adcock 74). The Senate and people of Rome gave Octavian ten years of complete control. Octavian named himself the princeps, which is Latin for emperor. He ran the Empire as a monarchy, although it was disguised as a Republic. They still had a senate, but senators only made it into office with Octavian's approval. Those citizens who weren't fooled kept quiet, because Octavian kept things peaceful and governed fairly. Octavian ended the Roman tradition of conquest, cutting the army from seventy five to twenty eight legions. In 23 BC, Octavian gave up the consulate, but the senate forced himto keep power over the provinces. In effect, he ran the Empire from the background, while others were elected consul. These consuls had power, but always did what Octavian said. On his death bed, Octavian was advised to forgive his enemies. He responded with, "Yes father, but how can I? I have [killed] them all" (Adcock 75). Octavian was almost eighty when he died in 14 AD.
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 4378
Approximate Pages = 18 (250 words per page double spaced)
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