Sunday, 29 July 2012

Final Analysis

As seen bellow, each of the kings had something significant to add that would build into the Rome we know today. However, the major impacts to do with the rise of the Roman Republic really began towards the end of Servius Tullius' reign. Before this, the reforms made by each king were significant socially and politically, however they did not provoke the revolution. When Servius Tullius first began to distinguish classes, not only in the census, but also in general social events such as the Roman Games, a break was made in society. However, the delicate balance which characterised Servius Tullius' reign was cpompletely destroyed by the final king, L. Tarquinius Superbus.
This started with the very beginning of his reign by not recognising the right of the people to vote their king. Over the years he gradually reduced the people's voice through both trials without assessors and refusing to consult or even keep the numbers of the Senate.
It was this oppression which resulted in the fall of the monarchy, when the Roman people finally rose against the king in the revolution that led the Republic. In fact, Tarquin's oppression was so severe that throughout the duration of the Republic, the word for king, rex, was almost banned from society. If one even spoke of kings in a positive light, they faced trial. This continued into the late republic, as seen when Tiberius Gracchus rose to power, people accused him of wanting to become king, and he was executed soon after the protection of being the people's Tribune wore off.
Tiberius Gracchus and his brother Gaius Gracchus

No comments:

Post a Comment