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wrt assignment 4

The document discusses the transition of Rome from a monarchy to a republic, highlighting the tyranny of the last king, Lucius Tarquinius Superbus, and the subsequent revolt that led to the establishment of the Roman Republic in 509 BCE. It outlines the democratic elements introduced by the Republic, such as elected officials and legislative assemblies, while also addressing its limitations, including the dominance of the aristocracy and a voting system that favored the wealthy. Ultimately, the document questions whether the Republic could have evolved into a true democracy had it not transformed into an empire.

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10 views

wrt assignment 4

The document discusses the transition of Rome from a monarchy to a republic, highlighting the tyranny of the last king, Lucius Tarquinius Superbus, and the subsequent revolt that led to the establishment of the Roman Republic in 509 BCE. It outlines the democratic elements introduced by the Republic, such as elected officials and legislative assemblies, while also addressing its limitations, including the dominance of the aristocracy and a voting system that favored the wealthy. Ultimately, the document questions whether the Republic could have evolved into a true democracy had it not transformed into an empire.

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Chamunogwa Matserendende
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© © All Rights Reserved
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The Struggles Against Kingship and the Establishment of the Roman Republic

Amad Uddin

HIST 1421-01 Greek and Roman Civilization - AY2025-T3


University of the People
February 24, 2025
The transition of Rome from a monarchy to a republic was shaped by political struggles, social
dissatisfaction, and resistance against the absolute power of kings. The last Roman king, Lucius
Tarquinius Superbus, ruled with tyranny, disregarded the Senate, and mistreated the Roman
people. His rule ultimately led to a revolt, resulting in the foundation of the Roman Republic in
509 BCE. The Republic introduced a system of governance that divided power among different
institutions, ensuring that no single ruler held complete control. However, while the Republic
incorporated democratic elements, it also had significant limitations that favored the aristocracy
over true popular rule. This paper examines the historical circumstances that led to the Republic's
establishment, explores its democratic features, and evaluates its shortcomings in democratic
governance.

Circumstances Leading to the Establishment of the Roman Republic

The dissatisfaction with monarchy, particularly under King Tarquinius Superbus, played a central
role in Rome's transition to a republic. His reign was marked by cruelty, corruption, and the
exclusion of the Senate from political decisions. Unlike his predecessors, Tarquinius ruled with
unchecked authority, making decisions without consulting Rome’s elite class (Boatwright et al.,
2012).

One of the defining events that led to his overthrow was the assault of Lucretia, a noblewoman,
by Tarquinius’s son. Her tragic fate sparked outrage among Roman aristocrats and citizens,
leading to a revolt that ultimately expelled the Tarquin monarchy (Magistra Vitae, 2022). The
aristocracy, led by Lucius Junius Brutus, sought to establish a new system that would prevent
any one person from holding absolute power again.

Additionally, Rome’s territorial expansion and the increasing complexity of governance made
monarchy inefficient. The growing population and the emergence of a wealthier, more politically
engaged society required a system that allowed broader participation in decision-making
(DailyHistory.org, n.d.). These circumstances led to the formation of the Roman Republic, where
power was distributed among elected officials and governing bodies.

Democratic Elements of the Roman Republic


The Roman Republic introduced several democratic principles that distinguished it from a
monarchy. One of its most significant features was the election of government officials. The
highest offices, including the two consuls, were elected annually, ensuring that power was not
concentrated in a single ruler (Boatwright et al., 2012).

The Republic also created legislative assemblies that allowed citizens to participate in decision-
making. The Comitia Centuriata, an assembly of soldiers, played a key role in electing
magistrates and passing laws. The Concilium Plebis, an assembly for the common people,
provided a platform for plebeians to voice their concerns and pass laws affecting their class
(Boundless, 2022).

Another important democratic element was the Tribune of the Plebs, an office that protected the
rights of plebeians by vetoing laws and decisions that harmed the lower class. This office
ensured that the interests of common citizens were represented in the government, limiting the
dominance of the aristocracy.

Limitations to the Republic’s Democracy

Despite these democratic elements, the Roman Republic was far from being a fully democratic
system. One of its biggest limitations was the concentration of power among the aristocracy. The
Senate, which held significant influence over legislation and governance, was composed entirely
of patricians. While the Republic allowed plebeians to participate in politics, the most powerful
positions remained dominated by the elite (Boundless, 2022).

The voting system also favored the wealthy. The Comitia Centuriata divided voters into groups
based on wealth, giving more influence to the upper class. The votes of the rich carried greater
weight than those of the poor, ensuring that Rome’s elite retained control over political decisions
(DailyHistory.org, n.d.). This system made the Republic more of an oligarchy than a true
democracy.

Another undemocratic feature was the dictatorship system, which allowed the appointment of a
single ruler with absolute power in times of crisis. While dictators were meant to serve for only
six months, this system demonstrated how the Republic could easily shift toward autocratic rule
when necessary (Boatwright et al., 2012). This contradiction raises questions about the
Republic’s commitment to democracy.

Ultimately, The establishment of the Roman Republic was a response to the failures of monarchy
and the growing need for shared governance. While it introduced democratic elements such as
elected officials, legislative assemblies, and the Tribune of the Plebs, the Republic was still
largely controlled by the aristocracy. The voting system disproportionately favored the wealthy,
and emergency dictatorship provisions contradicted democratic principles. Although the
Republic laid the foundation for later democratic governments, it functioned more as an
oligarchy than a true democracy. This raises an important question: Could the Republic have
evolved into a fully democratic system if not for its eventual transformation into an empire?
Reference:

Boatwright, M. T., Gargola, D. J., Lenski, N., & Talbert, R. J. (2012). The Romans: From village
to empire (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.

Boundless. (2022). The founding of the Roman Republic. In Boundless world history 1: Ancient
civilizations – enlightenment – Version 35. Boundless.com. Retrieved from
https://archive.org/details/boundless-world-history/boundless-world-history/page/n983/mode/
2up

DailyHistory.org. (n.d.). How did the Roman Republic function? Retrieved from
https://dailyhistory.org/How_did_the_Roman_Republic_function

Magistra Vitae. (2022, January 26). Seven kings of Rome – history of Rome #2 [Video].
YouTube. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyz456

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