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The Early and Middle Years of the Roman Republic (509-146 BC) have greatly influenced the modern world. Over a period of 363 years Rome grew from a small agricultural town on the Tiber River to a formidable power that ruled the Mediterranean. __The Republic’s legacy consists of the value it placed it its infrastructure, the representational government it developed, and its military brilliance that expanded its territory, but also brought huge challenges__.

 Rome passed on lessons about the value of investing in infrastructure—particularly roads. At its peak the Roman road system spanned almost 85,000 km <[]>. Even today, most Europeans live near a Roman road (Matyszak 73). Roman roads were critical for the republic’s expansion. Troops could be quickly moved between Rome and conquered territories and trade could be sustained (Williams 23). Built in 312 BC, the famous 211 km Via Appia enabled Roman soldiers to reach Rome’s new conquests (Matyszak 73). Today we marvel at the skills of Roman engineers who figured out ways to build solid, //straight//, concrete roads requiring minimal repair < [] >. In today’s current economic downturn, countries are acknowledging the value of investing in infrastructure. Canada’s 2009 budget promised to commit almost C$12-billion to infrastructure growth as an economic stimulus. As in the days of the Roman Republic, infrastructure projects create jobs in various industries and sustain long-term economic growth < http://www.blakes.com/english/view.asp?ID=2854>.

The Roman Republic is also recognized for developing a republican form of government after overthrowing the monarchy in 509 BC. To limit the powers of one person or government body, Rome divided its government into separate executive, legislative, and judicial bodies. The sanction of all three functions were required to make, execute and administer laws <[|www.search.eb.com/eb/article-9061137]>. The governments of the United States and France are based on Rome’s republican form of government. In fact, the United States has a Senate and senators (Murrell 26)! The United States constitution was based on Rome’s concepts of checks and balances—the belief that each branch of government could limit (some of the) actions of another. Just as the Republic, Canada has two legislative bodies--the Senate and House of Commons. Furthermore, although the early years of the Republic were characterized by class distinctions in which pebians faced the same type of tyranny as they had under the kings (Holland 21), the plebians refused to accept an inferior status and fought for, and achieved, equal representation in government. In 367 BC, a law was passed permitting any citizen to stand for election to state offices ( []).  This right was p reviously a privilege of only patricians (Flower 69). Many people today take their rights for granted, and some don’t vote; however, the Struggle of the Orders during the Roman Republic demonstrated the value of a government in which all citizens had a voice. (Murrell 6)   The Roman Republic not only benefited from effective social decisions and a unique form of government, but also succeeded in dominating the Mediterranean (Lintott 50—52). The Republic’s success in expanding its territories can be credited not only to its superior military capabilities, but also to the way in which it absorbed conquered peoples. Respecting local governments, traditions, and laws, Rome granted full rights of citizenship to its nearest neighbours, and partial citizenship or ally status to other subjects. The decision was strategic, as Rome’s subjects paid taxes and served in the army in wartime. <[]>. Initially Rome used its armies to gain control over neighbouring territories to neutralize the threat of attack ( <[]>). It also wanted to protect its neighbours from the advances of others. However, the expansion, first throughout Italy in 265 BC and then throughout the Mediterranean in 146 BC (Lintott vii) had serious consequences. A major problem was that it disrupted traditional patterns of life in the countryside, and small farmers fell into debt and had to sell their land to rich owners ([]). Today we should think about the Republic’s expansions as we examine our need to spend billions of dollars and resources on sending military forces to countries we hope to protect, such as Iraq and Afghanistan. We should also think about respecting the cultural and religious traditions of the people we are protecting.  In conclusion, our culture can learn many significant lessons from the rise of the Roman Republic. We can learn how important a solid infrastructure is to the growth and well being a nation and how critical it is to be involved and participatory in government. Finally, we can learn that expanding too much and too quickly can have serious consequences, just as it might for us in the future.

Elysa Grotsky