The Roman Republic was established as a result of various factors and struggles against kingship. Firstly, the Etruscan kings who ruled over Rome were overthrown in 509 BCE, as their rule was seen as oppressive. This marked the beginning of the Roman Republic. Additionally, there were class struggles between the patricians, who were wealthy landowners, and the plebeians, who were common people. The plebeians faced social and political inequality, leading to conflicts between the two classes. These struggles played a significant role in the establishment of the Republic, as the plebeians sought greater representation and political rights. The patricians held a monopoly on political power, with the Senate being dominated by the aristocracy. In response, the plebeians fought for political representation and …show more content…
It had representative institutions such as the Senate, the Tribal Assembly, and the Plebeian Assembly. These bodies allowed for participation and decision-making by different segments of Roman society. The Tribal Assembly and the Plebeian Assembly provided platforms for citizens to debate and vote on legislation. Although the patricians initially had more power, the assemblies allowed the plebeians to voice their concerns and influence the decision-making process. Additionally, the Roman Republic had a system of laws that applied to all citizens, ensuring principles such as "innocent until proven guilty" and the right to a fair trial. This helped protect individual rights and prevent the arbitrary exercise of power. However, there were aspects that raised doubts about the democratic nature of the Roman Republic. “Evaluating the Roman Republic’s constitution and how it was applied in theory and practice it becomes clear that the Roman Republic, while constitutionally quite democratic, was in practice a fundamentally undemocratic society, dominated by a select caste of wealthy aristocrats.” (Brown Z.S.,