West European Studies

The history of the Roman Republic could be traced back to the era after the overthrow of Tarquin monarchy led by Junius Brutus at around 509 BC. From that time henceforth Rome has never reverted back to a monarchy. This era signified great expansion, power and civilization of the Roman Republic. Rome was ruled by the senate and assembly which were institutions formed that were formed at the beginning of the monarchy. The Republic was characterized by continuous warfare. The Republic had a constitution that laid down all the institutions and traditions of the government. However, the constitution was neither a formal nor written document but a rather string of unwritten laws and traditions based on the monarchial institution. In its early days, the republic was largely involved in power transfers from the monarchs to the wealthiest classes which were a source of repeated conflicts right from its inception in around 509 BC to its collapse in the middle of the 1st century BC in the hands of Caesar. The political history of the Republic was tumultuous, violent and chaotic which was mainly fought between its two main classes that comprised of the patricians which was the dominant upper class and the Plebeians which ware the standard Roman citizens. This essay will therefore be answering the question that states, was the fall of the Roman Republic inevitable
Before answering this question, it is imperative to understand that the demise of the Republic had more in to it than a single man or event indeed it was a culmination and combination of several individual actions which were coupled and combined with social and economic conditions that weighed heavily on the Roman citizenry in general. (Brunt 64)

In addition to that, the massive and rapid expansionist achievements that Rome had achieved in the 700 years earlier up to the mid 1st century created monumental and massive holes in the government and political capabilities of the senate. Indeed, the collapse of the Republic could not be avoided at all since, during the beginning of the Roman conquest outside Italy and the Punic Wars that was followed by the massive importation of slaves, the appearance of Roman life seemed to be changing far too rapid than the governing body could deal with. Great Romans like Scorpio Africanus, fell victims to political infighting and whims which was one of the major catalysts for the fall of the Republic. The socio-economic instability that resulted from inequities and disproportions in the class system led to the rise of demagogues like the brothers Gracci. Also, the use of citizen assemblies for popular agendas tore the fabric of senatorial power apart.  (Grant 58)

Another reason that made the fall of the Republic to be inevitable was that the financial burden borne by the citizens of the Republic was too much for them to handle. Some of them included the paying of tithes to the government which was a burden to them. This burden was made intolerable by the avaricious behaviors of the Roman tax collectors. In provinces like Lusitania and Spain, rebellions continued throughout the second BC. In addition to that, the Roman senatorial elite were chauvinistically arrogant and also unaccountable for their actions. The efforts by the high minded aristocrats to champion for better institutions as a means of redressing political and socio-economic reforms proved quite futile, since they were blocked by the majority who were unwilling to let go of their privileged position in the society. Furhtermore, most of the wealth acquired from profits of war and booty into Italy did not benefit the plebeians since it was corrupted and abused by the upper class leading to increased misery. (Le 86)

Also, during the period that lasted between 135 and71 BC, Several slave campaigns rose in Rome. One of the reasons for the uprising was that the large pieces of land that was given over for the purposes of slave farming in which the roman masters were greatly outnumbered by the slaves. By the first Century BC, there were at least 12 rebellions and civil wars. That pattern did not relent all through the caesarian era until Octavian later came to end it by successfully challenging the Senates authority and was hence made the emperor (princeps). That was recipe enough for the decline of the Republic. (Crook 20)

 There was the civil war in Rome during the late 2nd century that was instigated by the rivalry between Consuls Marius and Sulla. The war was caused by their continuous disagreements and political ambitions. This contributed immensely to the demise of the Roman Republic because its leaders were increasingly incapable of sharing power. For instance, when Sulla captured Rome, he ensured that all his political opponents were killed and replaced with his appointees.
The breaking point to the survival of Rome was when the rivalry between Julius Caesar and Pompey began. These were two great Roman strategists, with lust for fame and power led to the demise of the Republic. This was mainly because they neither were willing to put aside their differences with one another. After Julius Caesar defeated Pompey in the war he became a dictator and asserted total control over Rome. (Wedd 3)

    In conclusion, the Rome Republic did not die because it was any inefficient but rather because the whole system had been blinded by lots of greed and glory. The irony was that, the very people who meant to be served were exploited instead and at the end they turned against them and led to the Republics ultimate fall. A big lesson was learnt from that experience is that it is important for all to learn about the dangers of greed at the expense of others.