Rome began as a small village but grew to become a powerful republic ruled initially by kings and later by elected leaders. Power was shared between the Senate, consuls, and citizen assemblies. Through military expansion, by 200 BC Rome controlled land from Greece to Spain. Later, populists like the Gracchi brothers sought to help the poor against opposition from aristocrats, fueling political instability. Rome transitioned from a republic to an empire under Augustus, but weak emperors and invasions contributed to the empire's decline.

1. Ancient Rome Ch. 13 Sec. 3 & 4