History of the Ancient Roman Republic

The Roman Republic was founded in 509 and really established as a balance of powers between the Senate, the general citizenry and the magistrates that they elected. And by the way, the magistrates had limited power and were in office for only a year. So there is an opportunity for this government to have balances of power throughout, keeping one faction or another from gaining power. When you look at the history of Rome, it's a small little city state in the middle of Italy. It should not have become a world power. But it did. In fact, by the time the emperors arose, Caesar Augustus arose, the Roman Republic had already conquered the vast majority of the Mediterranean.