Describe the transition of Rome from a republic to an empire.

The Roman
Republic was established around 509 B.C.E. The government they developed at the time and
determined by existing conditions sought to establish laws that would limit power in the hands
of a few. Thus, power was divided between the Senate (Roman Senate) and the general Roman
citizenry (Plebeian Assembly). Divisions in the Republic were brought about by conflicts between
the Senate and the Assembly.

The Senate was threatened by the growing
strength of the Plebeian Assembly. This further degenerated into conflicts between the
aristocracy and the common citizens. Roman expansion and existing conflicts led to a shift
towards self-interest by various parties, causing a situation that the Republic sought to
suppress. 

This led to the onset of civil wars, emboldened by the march on
Rome by Sulla, who was later proclaimed dictator by the Senate. He, in turn, strengthened the
Senate at the expense of the assemblies, permanently affecting the balance of power established
earlier. More revolts followed, led by the likes of Marcus Lepidus, Pompey Magnus and Julius
Caesar, all of whom marched on Rome to assert their authority.

Julius Caesar
was later assassinated by members of the Senate. This led to the formation of the second
triumvirate (Octavian, Antony and Lepidus) and marked the end of the Roman Republic. Fallout in
the second triumvirate saw the rise of Octavian to absolute power. Under a new name referring to
his new position, Caesar Augustus (Octavian) ushered a period of peace under Pax
Romana that instituted remarkable growth of the Republic into the Roman
Empire.

href="http://www.heeve.com/ancient-history/beginning-of-the-roman-empire-transition-from-republic-to-empire.html">http://www.heeve.com/ancient-history/beginning-of-the-rom...