A History of Western Society: Printed Page 130

A History of Western Society, Value Edition: Printed Page 132

The Roman Republic

What were the key institutions of the Roman Republic?

Along with citizenship, the republican government was another important institution of Roman political life. Unlike the Greeks, the Romans rarely speculated on the ideal state or on political forms. Instead they created institutions, magistracies, and legal concepts to deal with practical problems and govern their ever-expanding state. These institutions were not static, but changed over time to allow a broader access to power and address new problems.