Rome's Transition from Republic to Empire

Political and social unrest as well as land expansion led to Rome's transition from a republic to an empire. As the Roman Republic expanded its authority and more people came under their control, it became increasingly difficult for a republic to govern. The laws of the government under the Republic written down in The Twelve Tables did not suit in ruling Rome's newly acquired masses of people. In addition, the aristocrats, or patricians, had the power in a republic, and thus, filled governmental positions. The patricians used this control to better themselves and take down anyone who disagreed such as the land reformer, Tiberius Gracchus. This difference eventually caused social disagreement between the patricians and plebeians, leading to a civil war between Marius, the people's representative, and Sulla, the leader of the patricians. The end of the Republic's reign finally came after Caesar's assassination and Augustus came to power. He enacted reforms that set up a centralized government and kept mostly everyone in the empire under control. By expanding Rome's dominance in the Mediterranean and abroad, a republic was no longer practical and centralized rule was needed to govern this empire's enlargement.