Roman Empire Political Analysis

Republican and Imperial Rome significantly changed politically and culturally from 500 BCE to 500CE as territorial expansion, political power struggles, population growth and multi-cultural influences led to a strain on central government, disorder and discontent thereby creating the climate ripe for change. The vastness of the Roman territory presented challenges relative to maintaining order, sustaining military presence and upholding societal standards. The Senate, the predominate governing body throughout Rome’s expansion, experienced a shift in power between the Patricians and the common Roman citizens Plebeians known as the Struggle of Orders. This power shift ushered in a new political system made up of civil servants drawn
The 1st and 2nd centuries experienced political stability “Roman peace” or pax Romana (McKay 162). The expansion of the Roman Empire created wealth for Rome but also led to a dramatic increase in population (McKay 162). Most people that lived in Rome experienced inadequate housing and had poor sanitation. Crime was prevalent and feeding the populace became difficult. Solutions such as providing the citizens with free oil, wine and grain would create good favor among the citizens. Also, games and spectator events would often distract the population from the daily turmoil that marked their lives (McKay?). The comparison between the Empire’s expansion and its inability to sustain quality of life due to its population growth rate would be the catalyst to allow for societal and cultural changes, particularly the introduction and acceptance of Christianity into Roman culture. As the citizens of Rome became more culturally diverse due to the influx of foreigners as well as the growing number of discontented citizens and retired military men who felt disconnected from the successes of Rome’s expansion, many would welcome the opportunity to accept a new meaning for their existence. Through the preaching of Jesus’ teachings, many Romans would adopt this new religion at the expense of their pagan beliefs. Over time and with the culmination of Constantine’s promotion of Christianity and Emperor Theodosius making Christianity the official religion of the empire (380 CE). Churches would now be able to establish its own courts and to use its own body of law, called “canon law”. This would establish the roots for the eventual growth in the church’s power (p.