The Rise and Decline of the Roman Government

As Rome rose and fell many rulers rose and fell along with her. The government also underwent changes in the city's rise to power and her decline and, eventually, her fall.

Rome was first ruled by kings. Her first king was Romulus , who was supposed to have founded Rome. In total there were seven kings who were once rulers of Rome. Tarquin Superbus, the last king of Rome, also known as Tarquin the Proud, made the Romans despising the rule of monarchy (Zoch 28), and was brought to an end in509BC. The Roman Republic would then take over the rule of monarchy (Zoch 31).


Under the Roman Republic the Senate and the assembly ruled over the Roman citizens. This Republic lasted for around five hundred years. Two leaders in the Senate were the consuls, they were elected to Govern the city of Rome. They were thought to better rulers than kings by many of the Roman citizens (Bingham 9). However, the Republic began having problems before the time of the second century BC. The Roman land was expanding rapidly and it was growing more difficult to keep it from growing chaotic. While this was going on the generals were craving more power. One general in particular, Julius Caesar, would rise to power, but soon be assassinated by those he thought to be friends (Bingham 10). After the death of Caesar in 27BC the Roman Republic was ended (Bingham 11).


From Augustus, to Valentinian the first, who started the Western Empire, and Flavius Anastius, the last to rule the Eastern Empire. The first empire lasted from 14 AD to 476 AD, and was ruled by more than one hundred emperors. In 364 AD the Empire split and the Western Empire emerged. When the Western Empire split the Eastern Empire emerged, but then Rome ended after the Eastern Empire.


Many rulers rose and fell with Rome. Rome was ruled by kings, then by the Republic, and then by emperors (Bingham 8, 9, 10, 11). Rome then fell after Eastern Empire fell, thus, the once great city of Rome met its end.


Bingham, Jane. Ancient Civilizations: Ancient Rome. World Almanac Library: Milwaukee, WI. 2006.

Zoch Paul A. Ancient Rome: An Introduction History. University of Oklahoma Press: Norman. 1998.