What were the causes of decline of the Roman Republic?

Answer 1

The Roman Republic did not decline. It was very poweful. It had taken over most of the lands around the Mediterranean Sea and conquered Gaul. It had grown very wealthy thanks to imperial expansion. It fell. The Republic in its later days was torn apart by civil warsand fell. Rule by emperors replaced it.

The Roman Republic fell under the weight of imperial expansion. The central government had become dysfunctional, and lost control over the provinces (conquered territories). The governors of the provinces became unruly and treated their provinces as if they were their personal fiefs. Tax collection in the provinces was carried out by private collectors who 'farmed' the taxes to line their pockets through extortion. Corruption was rampant. A reform of military recruitment made the soldiers loyal to the commanders of their legions who could use them to obtain what they wanted through the threat of or the use of military violence. In 71 BC Crassus and Pompey encamped their troops outside Rome to have themselves elected as consuls (the two annually elected heads of the Republic). Pompey was not even eligible on the grounds of being below the required age and of not having served some public offices which were required before the consulship. In the last 64 years of the Republic there were 12 civil wars. In 88 BC Sulla entered the city of Rome with his troops during his first civil war against forces of Marius, even though Roman religion forbade the bearing of arms within the city walls.

Another problem in the Late Republic was the increase in the number of dispossessed peasants who lost their land to the expanding large landed estates which used slaves, who were war captives. These people flocked to Rome to try to eke out a living, swelling the masses of the poor in the city. The problem of poverty became a political hot potato which led to the conflict between the populares and the optimates. The former was a political faction which championed the cause of the poor and tried to introduce reforms to help them. The latter was a conservative political faction which favoured the aristocracy and opposed reforms. The senators were seen as being concerned with the interests of the aristocracy, rather than those of the poor and were unpopular among the middle and lower classes. They were also seen as being corrupt. Many of the civil wars were related to clashes between strong military leaders and the conflict between populares and optimates spilling into violence.

Julius Caesar waged a civil war against the forces of the senate and assumed sole power in Rome (the Republic was normally headed by two annually elected consuls) for five years and tied to tackle Rome's problems. However, he was assassinated. More civil wars followed his death. Augustus won the final civil war of the Republic, which was a fight with Marc Antony over who would become the sole ruler of Rome and her territories. He gained control over the army and amassed great wealth through the spoil of war. He used both to establish his own absolute rule and became the first Roman emperor. His tight control over the state restored a strong central government and political stability. Rule by emperors continued for 503 years

Answer 2

First off; the Roman Republic did not go into decline: only politics changed following leading to a dictatorial regime.

military; the only negative point during the republic was the fact that the armies were led by senate-appointed officials that don't last for longer than 2 years which ment they often lacked the experience. Luckily tho they were supported with professional and hardend generals.

Socially: not sure what you mean by this; The people were divided in three social groups (not classes!). first you had the working people "Plebs". Secondly the "equites" the lower high class. Thirdly you had the "patricii" or the highest class. During the end of the Republic these groups were strongly divided by their political group. they never recovered from the civil war that happened 30years prior to Julius' upcoming. and thus the wounds were barely healed before a struggle for power broke out.

On a side note; the Roman plebeians where not happy. Due to recent campaigning in ancient Asia and Gaul there was an abundance of slaves. these slaves would replace costly plebeians as a workforce and thus put a lot of people out of work. This made a great audience for Caesar who tried to win their favor by food and games.

Economical; their was decline. The Roman Empire just tapped into new markets by expanding their borders.

in general; Augustus (Caesars ascendant) led Rome into his most glorious time. Thus the period before him might have been volatile, but not inprosperous.

Answer 3

1. spread of slavery in agriculture system

2. migration of small farmers into cites and unemployment

3. devaluation of roman currency; inflation

4. civil war over the power of Julius Caesar

Answer 4

It collapsed because of numerous reasons. First the Roman Empire became so massive, they split it up into the eastern and western empire. Second, around this time, many armies came and attacked, such as the Huns. Another reason is that the Roman Armies began hiring mercenaries, so if they didn't get paid, which Rome was pretty much out of money, they wouldn't fight, leaving the Empire defenseless. Hope this helped.