Introduction
The impact of early civilizations and cultures on the development and establishment of later and current societies cannot be overestimated. The issues people have resolved recently or are still fighting against in modern times worried those who lived centuries ago. Thus, it may be interesting to review some governmental elements of Rome and see how they represented a shift in the socio-political climate. While some people may find these elements insignificant, the establishment of consulship and a tetrarchy appear to be quite essential for the history of the republic. The former contributed to the acquisition of more rights and freedoms by people, and the latter secured the power in the hands of four emperors.
Consulship
To begin with, one of the major changes the Romans faced was the elimination of monarchy and the establishment of the republic. From that moment, they had a major governmental element known as consulship, and the latter’s impact on the socio-political climate was significant. The first change was quite moderate but still important – instead of a king, two consuls elected for one year headed the Senate (Cole & Symes, 2020). It meant that their decisions related to justice, law, and the army became fairer because they could control each other’s actions.
At the same time, such a shift resulted in increased inequality. The key issue was that only members of aristocratic families were allowed to be elected, while the majority, the plebs, felt powerless and discriminated against (Cole & Symes, 2020). According to Cole and Symes (2020), ordinary people were forced to serve in the army but deprived of the opportunity to rule the republic, which resulted in a centuries-long contest. For example, after a rebellion in the early 5th century B.C.E., the plebs were finally allowed to elect their tribal leaders who would protect the rights and freedoms of ordinary citizens (Cole & Symes, 2020). As a result, one may say that consulship eventually increased the access of the Romans to equality and justice, even though people had to use aggressive methods.
Tetrarchy
Further, another significant change to the government system of Rome was the introduction of a tetrarchy. As stated by Cole and Symes (2020), this ‘rule of four,’ including two senior emperors and two junior emperors called ‘caesars,’ “not only responded to the challenges of imperial administration but was designed to secure a peaceful transfer of power” (p. 195). Overall, it is possible to say that this system was quite successful for some time. The tax system was changed greatly, inflation rates were addressed, and the succession process was eased. At the same time, the key effect was on the securement of power (Cole & Symes, 2020). Since many generals in different areas of the Roman Empire wanted to assassinate a single emperor, having four emperors ruling in different divisions meant that even if one was killed, the power remained in the hand of others. While this government system did not last for many centuries, it still affected the socio-political climate of the Roman Empire crucially.
Conclusion
To conclude, one may say that the effects of the two identified governmental elements are challenging to overestimate. The establishment of the consulship allowed the Romans to have a fairer and jester system. Although ordinary citizens did not at first get access to their rights and freedoms, if not for the creation of consulship, they would probably not receive these rights. Second, having a tetrarchy made it possible for the emperors to change taxation, inflation rates, and some other instances for the better, as well as secure their power from generals willing to seize it.
Reference
Cole, J., & Symes, C. (2020). Western civilizations: Their history & their culture (5th ed., Vol. 1). W. W. Norton & Company.