Why The Roman Republic Collapsed

For nearly 500 years, the Roman Republic stood as a beacon of light in a world ruled by tyrants and absolute kings.

Yet, in the span of a single generation, the Republic collapsed and gave way to the Roman Empire.

Here’s why it happened and how the fall of the Roman Republic serves as a warning for us today.

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[guiltylenny]

"the common theme across all these factors was the exploitation of chaotic situations by people that wanted political power"

"Never let a crisis go to waste"

[everything]

He took the title Princeps. He never made himself emperor, he was simply first citizen, and held a ton of positions in the government, giving him enough influence to be essentially a dictator.

[jonathanellis]

Long time fan of the channel and professional photographer here:

Whatever you're paying your media guy/team - it's just not enough. The camera work, lighting, composition, and the animation is all *really* well done.

Plus, you're super cool too, Nick.

[davidbottoms]

My dad used to say that he hated the expression "war solves nothing", because in reality it is the definitive solution when done properly. All the years of negotiation did not end the Third Reich, a decisive world war did. Decades of debate did not end slavery in the United States, a decisive civil war did. Once people realize that they can get what they want simply by imposing violence on those that disagree with them, our civil society follows the collapse of so many in history. Thank you for this video.

[Sir_William_Marshal]

The basic issue was that the republican system had ceased to run smoothly, armies were far more loyal to commanders who provided them with wealth and glory than elitist politicians. The republic was alive in name only by the time Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon river. It was simply impossible for the senate to control the actions of military commanders operating on distant battlefronts, the roman world was fiercely competitive society and as it grew and expanded to become militarily secure in the Mediterranean world, the need for unity vanished allowing powerful generals to compete among themselves and with the senate.

[swayamkane]

The Roman Republic was more of a oligarchy, with power resting in the hands of the senate which was composed mostly of wealthy patricians.

[hmk]

Caesar: I am the senate.
Assassins: Not yet.

[pandastical]

Weird, so much of this seems strangely familiar…..

[marinablueGS]

Appreciate what you do here, Nick. Always informative, always interesting!

[jonathanbatz]

The Gracchi brothers did not violate the constitution as much as they broke with the mos maiorum of the political life.
Gaius did move down that path, but Tiberius mostly kept it safe and legal.

[bwhog]

Those who seek power above all are those who must be kept farthest from it.

[milesrasmussen]

Star wars galactic republic into galactic empire lol

[rostdreadnorramus]

Watching 35s after being posted.

I saw the name Rome and it peaked my interest immediately.

First like, first comment.

[staratmidnight]

Please keep these up! One day, the pendulum is going to swing back and content like yours is going to be at the forefront of this platform.

[ericclausen]

I highly recommend the book Storm before the Storm by Mike Duncan for a deeper dive into this. Like these videos, it is very accessible. Thanks for all you do Nick!

[Mitthradata]

The republic was reorganized into the first roman empire

[cataphracts]

A lot of truth packed into a small video

[charlietoussaint]

Can you do one on the electoral college

[Ryanisthere]

if you want this to sound more familiar, look up the fall of the Weimar republic

[dontran]

Sadly History seems to now repeat itself for the United States of America.

Rome was a Republic for ~500 years before succumbing to become an authoritarianism empire.

How old is USA? Only ~246 years old.

Roman Republic underwent 10 Civil Wars with several unaccounted Civil Unrest during their 500 years as a republic.
For USA: Only underwent 1 Civil War with a Civil Unrest during the Vietnam War era, then another Civil Unrest during the 9-11 events, & now another Civil Unrest in regards to Israel v. Hamas as well as Civil Unrest in regards to Donald Trump.


Roman Republic collapse because of corruption, power imbalance, rise in crime, rise in poverty, imbalances between the rich & the poor. USA is now heading a similar path with also corruption, power imbalance, rise in crime, imbalances between the rich & the poor.