Roman Republic / Empire

[ll_billym]

What were the differences between the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire.

How did this affect the way in which Rome itself and the provinces were governed.

1) Thanks. 2) No links if you don't mind. 3) I'm way too old for homework.

[Octavius]

1) No problem
2) Well then you get a very short answer
3) Prove it

The first and most important institution of the Roman Republic was the Roman Senate. Inside the Senate there were two unofficial parties the optimates and the populares. The Senate had major influence and prestige being composed by aristocratic and rich patricians and plebians. Roman law in the republic was often based on custom. Each time Rome conquered new lands, the area would be sectioned off into one or several provinces, with each under the command of a governor chosen by the Senate.

Although Caesar did indeed maintain a republic he ruled solely as a dictator, it was Augustus' reforms which created the beginning of the Roman Empire, where the emperor became the final source of law. Augustus created the �imperial provinces.� While the Senate ostensibly retained control over the remaining �senatorial provinces,� almost all of the legions were stationed in the imperial provinces and thus under the sole control of Augustus. Basically with all his reforms he controlled everything, including appointments, political elections and candidates had to mneet his approval, treaties with other governments were his to control, the law courts, magistrates all his. In other words, he crystallised symbols of rank and status, thus increasing social prestige for many elite Romans, though their actual political power was lessened and thus everything they ever had or received had to be with Augustus' approval, or they got nothing.

[ll_billym]

1) Thank you very much Octavius.

2) Although in your eyes "short", the answer is consise, informative and tells me exactly what I wanted to know.

3) Ha ha. Good point.