Ancient Rome's Influence on Modern Democracy

During the time period of ancient Rome, the structure of government and political culture was developed and has helped us base our own government and political ideas to the ones that we use today. Ancient Rome had three periods’ in their government those where the Republican period, Imperial period, and Monarchy period. Each period helped Rome build their government and structure their society in a specific way throughout their early years. The Romans were a direct democracy, meaning everyone (who is eligible) is able to vote, on who is put in charge. The Republican period was the most influential period in their history on modern society. During the Republican period every male citizen enjoyed the privilege of voting (1) on the legislation, (2) on the election of government officials. (Shelton 1988) Although it was a direct democracy at the time it was definitely more of an aristocracy than a democracy due to senators who were part of Rome’s upper-class, who controlled the nature of legislation that reached the assemblies. (Shelton 1988). People were put into three assemblies: the Comitia Centuriata, the Comitia Tributa, and the Concilium Plebis. Voters were divided into voting units called centuries; divisions that were made according to property value and age; so that the wealthiest people at a certain age were grouped together. (Shelton 1988) But, mostly all decisions were made by the wealthiest group of older people given their power over the community.

During the Republican period political power was one of the most important things to have. A man who had senatorial rank would spend his whole life planning, negotiating, attracting supporters, and dispensing favors. (Shelton 1988) This was all part of the political camp...

... middle of paper ...

...peror. (Shelton 1988) Today in American society our senators are chosen by election and they can come from a variety of backgrounds, although most are still from wealthy and highly educated backgrounds. Our senate today is very powerful yet checked by our US Congress and the President. They do not have absolute power as they did in the Roman Society.

The nature of government and political culture in ancient Roman society was similarly complicated as our our political infrastructure in modern day Western civilization. In addition, it had its own unique characteristics rendering it a mechanism of social ideal; one where the population was provided for, and at the same time ruled by an upper lass in the electorate.

Work Cited

As the Romans did: a source book in Roman social history

Jo-Ann Shelton - Oxford University Press - 1988