The government of the Roman Empire differed from that of the Roman Republic in several key ways:
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Centralization of Power: In the Republic, power was held by elected officials and shared among various political institutions (like the Senate, the Assemblies, and consuls). In contrast, the Empire centralized power in the hands of the emperor, who had significant control over the military, governance, and political decisions.
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Hereditary Rule: The Republic was characterized by a system of elected leaders, with consuls serving for limited terms. The Empire, however, often involved hereditary succession, where emperors were succeeded by their family members, leading to dynasties and a more monarchic structure.
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Role of the Senate: While the Senate played a crucial role in governance during the Republic, its power diminished significantly under the Empire. Emperors often bypassed or manipulated the Senate, rendering it more of an advisory body rather than a governing force.
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Military Authority: In the Republic, military generals were typically elected and held power for short durations. In the Empire, the emperor often commanded the military directly, leading to the intertwining of political power with military authority and making coups more feasible.
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Expansion of Bureaucracy: The Empire required a more extensive administrative structure to manage its vast territories, leading to a professional bureaucracy that handled daily governance and reduced the direct influence of citizen participation in governance, which had been more pronounced during the Republican period.
These differences reflect the transformation of Rome from a mixed constitutional system to an autocratic regime, profoundly impacting its political structure and governance.