The Early ­ SPQR, Structure

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The Roman Republic was The Romans established a The Roman concept of the ​ ​ the phase of the ancient form of — a citizen evolved during the Roman civil republic — that was copied Roman Republic and isation characterised by a by countries for centuries In changed significantly during republican form of fact, the government of the the later . government. is based After the Romans freed partly on 's model. themselves from the It began with the overthrow Etruscans, they established of the Roman monarchy, c. It all began when the a republic, and all males 509 BC, and lasted over Romans overthrew their over 15 who were 450 years until its Etruscan conquerors in 509 descended from the original subversion in 29 BC, B.C.E. Centered north of tribes of Rome became through a series of civil Rome, the Etruscans had citizens. Citizens of Rome wars, into the ruled over the Romans for distinguished themselves ​ form of government and the hundreds of years. from slaves and other Imperial period. Once free, the Romans noncitizens by wearing a established a republic, a toga; most wore a white government in which toga. During the Empire, citizens elected each emperor wore a purple representatives to rule on toga to distinguish himself their behalf. A republic is as theprinceps, or "first ​ ​ quite different from a citizen." democracy, in which every Citizenship varied greatly. citizen is expected to play The full citizen could vote, an active role in governing marry freeborn persons, and the state. practice commerce. Some citizens were not allowed to vote or hold public office, but maintained the other rights. A third type of citizen could vote and practive commerce, but could not hold office or marry freeborn women. In the late Republic, male slaves who were granted their freedom could become full citizens. Around 90 B.C.E., non­Roman allies of the Republic gained the rights of citizenship, and by 212 C.E, under the Edict of Caracalla, all free of the Roman Empire could become citizens.

The term SPQR is now referred to by modern Rome in respect to the original