Ancient Foundations-The Influence of the Roman Republic and Greek Historians on Modern Government

Ancient Foundations-The Influence of the Roman Republic and Greek Historians on Modern Government

A democracy is a government system in which state power belongs to the state’s general population or the people. On the other hand, a republic is a government system in which power belongs to a representative of the citizens. Polybius stated that Ancient Rome was partially democratic because the people worked with their leaders against the ruling power because of the rise of tyranny. They used their influence on the leaders to push them to abolish monarchy and kinship and promote aristocracy (Polybius 285). The people also sought the support of courage, the most spirited and noble men, to abolish monarchy and kinship because the two forms of government only favored a few.

Binetti argues that the early institutions established in the post-Hittite world, especially the Phoenician Tyre and Carthage, were most important in introducing the ideas of republicanism and representatives (188). According to Binetti, these institutions formed a mixed constitutional republic because the Greeks liked the idea that most of the power and control had been granted to oligarchs, even though they admired the existence of some elements of democracy (188).

The Roman Republican System developed into a system more like a dictatorship or monarchy for various reasons. One of them was the class of multiple groups within the Republic. Another reason was the fighting for varying socio-economic interest groups. According to Binetti, the battle between the socio-economic groups destroyed formal representation in the state even though the system had remained strong amidst ethnic conflict (193). Further, the main long-term threats that brought down the Republic included an increase in the concentration of power in the hands of powerful and wealthy families and the lack of empowerment of people from the Latin ethnic group. Additionally, the main short-term threat included the crisis of representation that emerged because the Italians and other people under the Romans had a reasonable expectation of their representation or autonomy within the state, but their expectations were not met.

Works Cited

Binetti, Christopher. “Sprouts of the ancients: The ancient roots of representation in the Greater Mediterranean region from the Hittites to Rome.” Geopolitics, History, and International Relations, vol. 9, no. 2, 2017, p. 174, https://doi.org/10.22381/ghir9220179.

Polybius. “The Histories of Polybius.” Polybius • Histories – Book 6, 1923, penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Polybius/6*.html.

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The Romans and the Greeks are often cited as influences on modern governments, including the United States Government. The Roman Republic, especially, was admired by the drafters of the US Constitution. This week, we have two readings that relate to Ancient Republics, an ancient writing by the Greek historian, Polybius, and a work by a modern historian, Christopher Binetti. For this week’s essay, I want you to answer the following questions:

Ancient Foundations-The Influence of the Roman Republic and Greek Historians on Modern Government

First, what is a democracy and what is a republic? Why did Polybius say that Ancient Rome was partially ‘democratic’ and do you agree with him?

Second, according to Binetti, which ancient civilizations (before the Romans) were most important in introducing ideas of republicanism and representative government?

Third, if the Roman Republican system was so ingenious, why did it devolve into a system more like a dictatorship or monarchy? What long and short-term threats brought down the Republic?