- Roman Republic:
A republic where elected officials such as consuls, senators, and tribunes held power.
- Roman Empire:
An autocracy where the emperor's rule was absolute. Emperors held vast military, political, and religious authority.
System of Checks and Balances:
- Roman Republic:
Had a system of checks and balances, where different branches of government could veto or block each other's decisions.
- Roman Empire:
This system weakened as emperors centralized power. The emperor's decisions became final, and the Senate's role became less influential.
Role of the Senate:
- Roman Republic:
The Senate held significant power, acting as an influential advisory and legislative body.
- Roman Empire:
The Senate lost much of its authority under emperors, who often bypassed it in making decisions. Membership became based on loyalty rather than merit.
Voting and Assemblies:
- Roman Republic:
Citizens had the right to vote in assemblies and elect representatives.
- Roman Empire:
Voting declined in importance as emperors dominated decision-making. Assemblies became less relevant, and elections became mere formalities.
Military Leadership:
- Roman Republic:
Military leadership was largely shared between two elected consuls, who commanded armies.
- Roman Empire:
Emperors held supreme military command, and their generals acted as subordinates.
Judicial System:
- Roman Republic:
Civil trials were conducted by elected magistrates, while criminal cases were decided by juries.
- Roman Empire:
Over time, the emperor became the chief judge, and the judicial system became more centralized and subject to his influence.
Civic Participation and Rights:
- Roman Republic:
Citizens enjoyed certain rights and could influence government decisions through assemblies.
- Roman Empire:
Civic participation declined as the empire expanded, and decisions became more centralized around the emperor.
Duration and Stability:
- Roman Republic:
Lasted for several centuries, albeit with periods of political turmoil.
- Roman Empire: Lasted for over four centuries, but faced numerous challenges and internal power struggles.
In summary, the Roman Republic was a republican government with checks and balances, while the Roman Empire saw power concentrated in the hands of the emperor. The roles of the Senate, voting, military leadership, judicial system, and civic participation underwent significant changes as the Republic evolved into an imperial system.