How did rome become a democracy?

Answer 1

Rome was never a democracy. During the period of the Roman Republic (which came after the 244-year the period of the monarchy and was followers by the 506-year period of rule by emperors) three popular assemblies elected the officer of state and voted on bills. However, Roman politics was dominated by the patrician aristocracy which controlled the (unelected) senate, which was the most powerful political body of the Republic. The candidates for election to public office were members of the elites (patricians or wealthy men). The rich entrepreneurial class (the equites, "equestrians") also had a powerful political influence. Thus, despite these democratic aspects, the Roman Republic is usually described as an oligarchy. Patrician dominance of Roman politics was one of the key factors which led to the series of civil wars which tore Rome apart and led to the fall of the Republic. One strand of these conflicts was the rift between the populares, politicians who championed the cause of the poor and wanted reforms which would help them, and the optimates, politicians which favoured the interests of the aristocracy and resisted these reforms. In the end the people turned against the aristocracy. The Republic was replaced by the absolute rule of emperors who controlled the state and elections were abolished.