The Roman Republic: 509 BC-30 BC
Beginning in 509 BC the Republic (as implied by the name) had a republican form of government characterized by a Senate of patricians (the wealthy. The poorer, regular citizens were called Plebians). During this time the gap between rich and poor expanded and perhaps was in part responsible for the fall of Roman civilization.
It was during the era of the Republic that Rome engaged in the Punic Wars.
The massive expansion during this time called for more soldiers than could be provided by the professional soldiers to defend Rome. In 107 BC Roman soldiers were no longer required to be landowners, opening the army to everyone. As a result many farmers ended up joining the army but once they joined often their small individual farms were transformed into one large estate worked by slaves. Thus the (ex-)farmers had no choice but to remain in the army, but to make a living in the army they had to work hard and conquer. This resulted in massive expansion.
If also gave rise to Julius Caesar – initially a warlord, and then in 59 BC he was elected consul. He gained too much power--in 49 BC the beginning of the end of the Roman Republic began when he returned to Rome with his army and a civil war began (in which he fought against his former friend Pompey).
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