Ancient Rome was a civilization that grew out of a small agricultural community into one of the
largest empires in the ancient world. Having such a vast cultural and ethnically diverse empire made it
hard to maintain and prevent conflict. There was a large political shift and several aspects that stayed
the same. From 100 c.e. to 600 c.e. They changed their government from republic to empire but
carried on the use of the Twelve Table Laws and maintained their reliance on slaves.
Romans transformed their government from republic to empire in 100 c.e. To 600 c.e. Rome had a
republic government, but as the empire grew, the republic proved unsuitable for a growing empire.
Unequal distribution of land aggravated class tensions and gave rise to conflict over political and social
policies. The need to administer conquered lands efficiently strained capacities of the republican
constitution and strongly advised the need of a centralized imperial form of government. Julius Caesar
then became the first emperor of Rome but was assassinated by Roman elite classes who saw him as
a tyrant. Even though the first emperor was assassinated the idea of a centralized imperial government
still lived on. This is important because With out the centralized government the empire would have fell
under the republic.
Throughout the time period they maintained their use of the twelve table laws. From the law of the
twelve tables, the first code of law developed during the early republic. Roman civil law allowed great
flexibility in adopting new ideas or extending legal principles in the complex environment of the empire.
The Romans developed alternative procedures that allowed greater fairness without replacing the older
laws. Throughout the time period the twelve table laws were used when it started in the republic all the
way through the Roman Empire. They had a great impact because they kept order and peace in
government and was very helpful in an expanding empire.
Romans also maintained their reliance on slaves throughout the time period of 100 c.e. to 600 c.e.
Roman society made extensive use of slave labor. Slavery was vital to both the economy and even the
social fabric of the society. Slaves performed virtually every occupation required in the Roman economy
and because of this the reliance of slaves was sustained throughout Ancient Rome. This is important
because If there were no slaves there would be no empire. The slaves were mostly prisoners of war.
There were slave markets where they could be bought and sold. Slaves in Rome had no legal status,
however several emperors began to grant more rights to slaves as the empire grew.
Ancient Rome was full of extensive political alterations and several aspects that stayed the same.
The Roman republic was not able to last because of the uproar of unequal land distribution, which led
to the Roman Empire. On the other hand they were able to maintain the twelve table laws because it
was the foundation of Roman law. And lastly they carried on the reliance of slaves because it was vital
to the economy.