alternatehistory.com

I've been thinking about the civil wars - Marius and Sulla, Caesar and Pompey, Liberatores and the Second Triumvirate - that broke the Roman Republic. Ironically, these wars were each preceded by some of Rome's most glorious and important expansions.

Is there a way to harness the energies of the generals against foreign enemies of the Republic, without their turning against each other and the Senate for political power? What, exactly, let to the breakdown of the old civic virtue that prevented a Cincinnatus or Scipio from restoring the monarchy?

I don't really know enough to propose an ideal Republic, but I'd like to see some ideas. Key issues: equal political rights for freemen, a representative Senate, an effective executive, and eventual representation and citizenship for the provinces. I'm thinking that more success for the Gracchi might be a useful jumping off point.

Eric and eurofed have shown, IMHO, how a successful, benign (usually) monarchy could lead to a more stable Rome that, eventually, becomes something like China - it's permanent breakup is inconceivable, and even the most fractious civil wars or divisions will eventually be healed by a new incarnation of the polity. Leaving aside the discussion of difference in civilizational character and philosophy for now, I find the parallel plausible.

My own preference indicates that a successful Republic is superior: no susccession crises, fewer truly foul rulers and, when those do arise, peaceful means to check their power or even dispose of them. Also, more civic involvement and feeling from an populace involved in representative government.

Am I wrong? Is a benign, constitutional monarchy more suitable for stability in the Roman polity? Even in the late 18th Century, the Founders of the American Republic feared that a Republic as large as considered had never been shown to be feasible... the United States serves as a successful experiment of a stable, very large republic, of course, but technology was vastly better than in Roman times. Does size, then, indicate that a truly representative Roman Republic can't work long-term?

Parameters: No POD earlier than the overthrow of Tarquin. I'd accept a minimum Rome in the Italian peninsula, but obviously I'd prefer the Meditranean hegemon we know and love, or greater.
Top