But they were in the gift of the emperor ( princeps in Latin). Some elements of the old republican system, such as magistracies, survived in name at least. -Richard Alston 'Aspects of Roman History' patronage systemĭuring his 40-year rule, Octavian established the political structure that was to be the basis of Roman imperial government for the next four centuries. The system advantaged a hereditary aristocratic group …the system encouraged conservatism and created a close knit political elite, some of whom regarded political power as almost a birthright’ Some were born into this network, but others had to establish themselves from scratch, carefully cultivating powerful friends. ‘Thus most Roman political figures were dependent for their political power on a network of alliances and friendships. This system meant that many sections of society were represented politically, though many more were not. This meant to find representation or to have political influence Roman magistrates would take on ‘clients’ whose interests they represented in the senate. Unlike today’s political landscape, there were no political parties that supported the different groups or interests of Romans. This meant that the upper classes held all political power. His point is that while Rome used a democratic method of voting to choose the people who made laws and policies, those people could only be selected from the upper classes of a defined social system from which there was little social movement. Modern historian Richard Alston states that ‘The main features of the Republican government were a mix of democratic and aristocratic institutions’. This man was at first known as Octavian but later hailed as Augustus, and after his death, worshipped as a god. He was the ‘first citizen’ of Rome, or Princeps, and his rule then was known as the Principate. However it was begun by one man who assumed all the powers of government for himself. The 1st century CE saw the emergence of a brand new form of government never seen before in the ancient world that we now remember as the ‘ Empire’ of Rome. This, of course, did not mean that they didn’t influence power or politics. Women were excluded from all aspects of politics. The few elite families were the only ones who could be elected for senate and plebeians were excluded from all power, as were the equestrians. This was the perfect balance of people’s power and power of the elite. The Republic was seen as the height of civilisation and government. In this way Rome prevented any one man from ever gaining too much power. Their term of office was one year and they were forbidden from ever holding the office again. Despite this Rome annually elected 2 Consuls (like overseers) to direct the affairs of Rome. During the next 500 years Rome was a Republic, a form of government where an elected Senate created laws for the people and no single individual person held absolute power. After 509 when Rome ousted the last king it threw off all guise of monarchy and despised the very word ‘ Rex’. The Empire 27BCE-476CE - a period where 1 man ruled as ultimate authority.The Republic 509-27BCE - a period where an elected Senate of 300-600 men ruled Rome with under the leadership of 2 Consuls, or 1 Dictator in times of national crisis.Monarchy 753-509BCE - a period where hereditary monarchy ruled Rome.Roman History can be broken into three distinct periods:
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