From a city-state to Mediterranean superpower — the republic that shaped the world
10
Episodes
4h 24m
Total Time
Beginner
Level
The Roman Republic (509-27 BCE) created governmental structures that influenced democracies for millennia. Its rise from small city-state to Mediterranean superpower remains one of history's most remarkable stories—and its fall offers timeless warnings about the fragility of free government.
The Founders of the United States consciously modeled their republic on Rome, studying its rise and fall.
This founding story—whether fully historical or partly legend—shaped Roman political culture for centuries. Fear of tyranny drove Republican institutions.
Rome had no written constitution, but developed elaborate customs and laws:
This mixed constitution—monarchy (consuls), aristocracy (Senate), democracy (assemblies)—was admired by later thinkers like Polybius and Montesquieu.
This class struggle, resolved through compromise rather than revolution, forged Rome's mixed constitution and created a more unified society.
By 265 BCE, Rome controlled all of Italy south of the Po River.
Rome's existential conflict with Carthage:
Learn about Julius Caesar's role →
Rome was now the Mediterranean's unchallenged superpower.
Success brought instability:
The Roman Republic left enduring lessons:
These lessons informed later republics—and continue to inform debates about self-government.
Learn what happened next: The Fall of Rome →
From a city-state to Mediterranean superpower — the republic that shaped the world
10 audio lessons • 264 minutes total
The legendary kings of Rome. The rape of Lucretia and the revolt. 509 BC and the new constitution. Why Romans hated the word 'king.'
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The Senate and its powers. Consuls, praetors, tribunes. The assemblies. Checks and balances. Cursus honorum. The class struggle: patricians vs plebeians.
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Early legion structure. The manipular system. Marian reforms. How legions fought. Engineering and logistics. Why Roman armies won.
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Carthage: the rival power. First Punic War and naval invention. Hannibal's invasion. Cannae disaster. Scipio Africanus. Destruction of Carthage.
Macedonia and the Hellenistic kingdoms. Roman intervention in Greece. Corinth destroyed. Cultural conquest: Greece captures Rome.
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From city-state to provincial power. How Rome governed conquered lands. Exploitation and taxation. Governors and corruption. Benefits of Roman rule.
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Land reform crisis. Tiberius Gracchus and the tribunate. His murder and precedent. Gaius Gracchus continues. Violence enters Roman politics.
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Marius's military reforms. Private armies. Sulla's march on Rome. Proscriptions and dictatorship. The precedent for Caesar.
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Rise of Pompey. Slave revolt and Crassus. The First Triumvirate. Caesar in Gaul. Political maneuvering and breakdown.
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Structural causes. Military loyalty to generals. Wealth inequality. Political violence. Optimates vs populares. Was the fall inevitable?
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Journey through time to explore the great empires that shaped human history
How the greatest empire in history collapsed — and what it means for us
The man who ended the Roman Republic and changed history forever
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How did a small Italian city become Mediterranean superpower? The rise of roman republic from local militia to unstoppable legions that conquered the kn...
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