Learning Journal
The Roman Republic is often said to be an inspiration for the US political structure. However, the Republic could not survive for more than 500 years.
We have read about many factors that contributed to the fall of the Roman Republic.
According to you, what was the single most important factor that led to its decline?
Suggest ways in which the damage done by this factor could have been reduced.
The Learning Journal entry should be a minimum of 500 words and not more than 750 words. Use APA citations and references if you use ideas from the readings or other sources.
Introduction
In the previous unit, we learned about the downfall of Athenian Democracy. After its victory in the Peloponnesian War, Sparta exercised its hegemony over other Greek states. Sparta’s influence was eventually broken after its defeat by Thebes at the Battle of Leuctra in 371 BCE. At the same time another Greek power was becoming stronger and increasing its influence in the Greek world – Macedon. Under Kings like Phillip II and Alexander the Great, entire Greece was united under a single Empire.
After the death of Alexander, his “Successors” fought a 40-year war before the Hellenistic world settled into four power blocks: the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, the Seleucid Empire in the east, the Kingdom of Pergamon in Asia Minor and Macedon. This period is referred to as the Hellenistic period which comes to an end after the Roman conquest of the Alexandrian Empire in 30 BC. But who were the Romans and where did they come from? Legend says that two brothers, Romulus and Remus, who were brought up by a wolf grew up to be the founders and first kings of the city of Rome. But many historians are of the opinion that the Romans might have descended from Etruscans, a civilization that inhabited the Italian peninsula much before the rise of Rome.
This unit will familiarize you with the founding of Rome as well as the rise of the Roman republic and its dominance over the Mediterranean region. We shall also discuss the democratic features of the Roman Republic and the reasons for its downfall.
Founding of Rome
Boundless world history 1: Ancient civilizations – enlightenment – Version 35. (2022). Boundless.com.
Go to Chapter 8: The Roman World and read Section 2: Early Rome
This chapter discusses the myths around the founding of Rome, struggles of kingship that led to transformation of the Roman Kingdom into a republic and early Roman society.
Curry, A. (2021, September 24). They may have founded Rome, then vanished. New work sheds light on the mysterious Etruscans . Science.
This article discusses the latest research that gives insight into the origins of Rome.
How did the Etruscans shape Roman history and society? (n.d.). DailyHistory.org.
This article talks about the history of the Etruscans and their influence on the growth and development of Rome.
Video:
Kings and Generals. (2020, February 20). Etruscans: Italian civilization before ancient Rome [Video]. YouTube.
This video discusses the history and culture of the Etruscans who inhabited Italy before the rise of Rome.
Magistra Vitae. (2021, December 30). Founding of Rome – history of Rome #1 [Video]. YouTube.
This video portrays the earliest stories behind the founding of Rome, the myth of Romulus and Remus as well as the historical interpretation of this legend.
Magistra Vitae. (2022, January 26). Seven kings of Rome – history of Rome #2 [Video]. YouTube.
This video portrays the history of Rome under the seven kings prior to the establishment of the Roman Republic.
Democracy in the Roman Republic
Bobertz, N. (2022, August 15). The Roman republic vs. Athenian democracy: Comparisons . The History Ace.
This article discusses the similarities and differences between democratic Athens and the Roman Republic.
Brown, Z. S. (2016). How democratic was the Roman republic? Theory and practice of an archetypal democracy. Inquiries Journal. 8(11).
This paper analyzes the Democratic elements that were present and absent in the Roman Republic.
Democracy in troubled times. (2021, March 17.). Saint Leo University.
This module gives an in-depth analysis of the establishment of the Roman Republic, its political structure, the rise of dictators, the eventual decline of the Republic and a comparison of the US constitution with Roman republican principles.
Shiffer, M. (2021, June 18). Democracy and the Roman republic. The History Inquiry.
This article discusses the democratic nature of the Roman Republic, its downfall and the rise of Caeser.
Video:
Magistra Vitae. (2022, February 25). Rise of the republic – history of Rome #3 [Video]. YouTube.
This video portrays the rise and functioning of the Roman Republic.
Fall of the Republic
Bobertz, N. (2022, April 19). The 10 major events that led to the fall of the Roman republic. The History Ace.
This article discusses the reasons for the fall of the Roman Republic starting with the actions of the Gracchi Brothers (133-122 BC) up till the Rise of Augustus (31 BC).
Video:
Arzamas. (2017, May 30). Ancient Rome in 20 minutes [Video]. YouTube.
This video gives a brief summary of ancient Rome and some important topics like Caesar, The Colosseum, Republic, Nero, geese, plebeians, legions etc.
Classic Masterworks. (2022, March 2). Why the Roman republic fell [Video]. YouTube.
This video explains the reasons behind the fall of the Roman Republic.
