AskHistorians Podcast 125 -- How Rome Fell Into Tyranny w/Dr. Edward J. Watts

In 'Mortal Republic,' Edward J. Watts provides a detailed history of the Roman Republic's collapse. He argues that the Republic's demise was not inevitable but rather the result of thousands of small wounds inflicted by Romans who assumed the system would last forever. Watts chronicles how Rome's leaders increasingly pursued individual gain and obstructed their opponents, leading to political violence, civil wars, and ultimately the rise of the imperial reign of Augustus. The book highlights the parallels between ancient Rome's political struggles and contemporary issues, such as wealth inequality, partisan gridlock, and the threat of centralized power.