A Brief History of Rome - Essay Example

Early Rome was a monarchy, ruled by Etruscan kings, but after only seven of them had ruled, the Latins took power over their own city and transformed Rome into a republic. As a republic, Rome was ruled by a group of leading citizens who began to take control of all of Italy. Gradually, the Latins constructed a political organization (Senate) and designed the Roman constitution. Under the Roman constitution, the senate appointed a consul, who ruled Rome like a king, but only for a year, hence adopting notions of monarchy, aristocracy and democracy.

Between 500 and 300 B.C. two social groups, patricians (nobles) and plebeians (common men), evolved from the citizenry. The "Struggle of the Orders" – a struggle of legality between patricians and plebeians led to modifications of the Roman constitution (History Guide). AscendencyOwing to the Roman penchant for power and control, Rome was at war during most of the years as a Republic especially the three Punic Wars (264-146BC), in which Rome conquered Carthage (North Africa), Spain, France and other parts of Europe.

Julius Caesur was one of the most famous citizens of the Roman Empire for his rule and military campaigns (Roman Empire). Upon his death, the Roman world was divided between Marc Anthony, Octavian and Lepidus starting off a number of battles. With the battle of Actium, the Roman Republic transitioned itself into the Roman Empire ruled by Octavian. The Roman Empire was a much prosperous regime than the Roman republic with even more territorial expansion towards Western Europe and the Middle East. At the peak of its power, around AD 150, Rome commanded the supreme realm ever seen in Europe at that time.

Unlike the Greek empire under Alexandre, the captured nations profited from the Roman rule as the Latin way of life and infrastructure building was inflicted upon conquered societies such as Roman public baths, roads, water supplies, housing etc. Education (creation of libraries), Medicine, Bread, Oil & Wine flourished in the Empire. DeclineThe Roman Empire in the end was infested by millions of barbarians from all directions of Europe. Huge migrations took place across Europe that proved too much for the Romans to curtail.

The empire’s armies were designed to fight battles and wars, not migrants and peoples overflowing toward them. The collapse of the empire occurred when the Visigoth Odoacer and his men captured Rome in the year AD 476 (History Learning Site).