How did the Roman republic evolve into an empire?

Two thousand years ago, the world was ruled by Rome, but Rome could not rule itself. It took two men to wrestle Rome back from chaos and turn a republic into an empire. In the first century BC, Rome was a republic. Power lay in the hands of the Senate, elected by Roman citizens. read more

The evolution of the Roman republic into the Roman empire was a development. It took over hundreds of years. The transition happened in 4 distinct phases: The Gracchi brothers and the Senate - During their terms as Tribunes, mob violence was introduced to Roman politics. Marius and Sulla - The first people to use mob violence as a political instrument. read more

In the first century BC, Rome was a republic. Power lay in the hands of the Senate, elected by Roman citizens. But the senators were fighting for power between themselves. read more

Roman Republic, the ancient state that centred on the city of Rome, from the time of the events leading up to the founding of the republic in 509 bce, through the establishment of the Roman Empire in 27 bce. A brief treatment of the Roman Republic follows. For full treatment, see ancient Rome. read more