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How Did The Roman Republic's Decline

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How Did The Roman Republic's Decline
Although there were many contributing factors to the Roman Republic's decline over the course of several decades, most historians concur that the most important ones were the disintegration of political institutions and the emergence of strong military leaders who threatened the Senate's authority and the established power structure. Two interrelated factors primarily contributed to the Republican system's downfall: the widening social and economic divide between the affluent elites and the general populace, and Rome's military conquests, which made it more difficult for the government to control its soldiers and territories. The rise of wealthy and influential politicians who could influence elections and earn public support was one of the …show more content…
Julius Caesar, who became well-known in the late Republic as a popular politician and accomplished general, was one such leader. Caesar was widely praised for his military reforms and his victories in Gaul, but he posed a challenge to the status quo because of his ambition and disdain for the Senate's authority. He famously led his army across the Rubicon River in 49 BCE, igniting a civil war that resulted in the fall of the Republic and the creation of the Roman Empire, which was headed by his adoptive son Octavian. Making the political and economic structures more egalitarian and receptive to the demands of all citizens would have been one approach to lessening the harm brought about by the concentration of wealth and power in the late Republic. This might have involved actions like debt relief, land redistribution, and expanding voting rights in addition to initiatives to fight corruption and uphold the rule of law. It could have been feasible to prevent the rise of strong groups and leaders who endangered the Republic's stability by narrowing the gaps between the elites and the general populace (Lumen,

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