Essay on History of Roman Citizenship - 688 Words

Citizenship is highly coveted in many nations, so coveted in fact that through only a few processes can one become a citizen for most nations, might that process be natural birth or naturalization. Citizenship and its privileges were also highly valued in Rome, except becoming a citizen was extremely difficult if not impossible. Roman citizenship also leads to assassinations and war within the Italian peninsula. There is a complex history to Roman citizenship. Roman citizenship dates back to the founding of Rome in 753 BC. In the beginning, citizenship was only granted to those living in Rome. Providences and territories were excluded. Citizenship was deemed to be highly valuable because with it came the right to vote. But as†¦show more content†¦Subsequently, the Gracchi brothers were both assassinated for their attempts at reform. The provinces were growing more and more desperate and frustrated with the more time that passed. So in 91 BC another Roman politician made an attempt to reconcile with the provinces. Marcus Livius Drusus again tried to offer citizenship to the provinces. And again the Roman people were aghast at the outrageous attempt. Similarly he was assassinated, except now the provinces within the Italian peninsula had had enough. Consequently, the Social War erupted in 91 BC. There were two main tribes associated with the conflict, the Marsi and the Samnites. These two tribes, along with various others revolted against Rome in the hopes of obtaining citizenship, more specifically the right to vote. In the end of the war, Rome defeated and regained control of all of its land; however, the provinces did achieve their goal. In 90 BC Rome granted full citizenship to all the tribes who had not revolted and to those tribes that would return peacefully. Then in 89 BC another cession was made giving citizenship to all Italian that applied for it within sixty days. Roman citizenship now essentially covers the entire Italian peninsula. With the Social War new ways of becoming a citizen were also won. Before one of the only ways to become a citizen was to be a child of a legal marriage of a RomanShow MoreRelatedRoman Citizenship1198 Words   |  5 PagesThe Roman Republic became one of the most powerful and ruthless Empire s on the face of the planet and to be a citizen was very appealing. This was such an admirable and highly sought after position; that it would cause envy throughout the people of that time. There were also pre-requisites recorded in the requirements of becoming a Roman citizen and keeping that role. Roman citizenship itself was originally difficult to obtain but once won, life as a citizen was easier and more refined thanRead MoreGreek and Roman Concepts of Citizenship and Government1361 Words   |  6 PagesGreek and Roman Concepts of Citizenship and Government Joe Wickenden, Sarah Dowling, Ginger Snyder, Leone Hansen HIS/341 October 27, 2014 Joel Getz Greek and Roman Concepts of Citizenship and Government The definition of citizenship in Greek and Roman cultures can be described much differently than the current democratic definition of contemporary nations. The Roman Empire differed from the Athenian Amphictyony and the Assyrian Empire as well as the sunder later emperors such as VespasianRead MoreIssues of Citizenship of Indigenous Populations in Republican Rome1601 Words   |  6 PagesTable of Contents Introduction 2 Indigenous populations in Republican Rome (ca. 500 BCE 31 BCE) 3 Citizenship in colonial era 4 IV Comparison and Contrast 5 Conclusion 7 References 8 Introduction The issues citizenship of indigenous populations in the Roman Republic and during the colonial era in Europe provides comprehensive information regarding how the indigenous populations were treated by Europeans. The right to get justice and to self-determine their politico-social life is the mainRead MoreIs National Citizenship Irrelevant Outside the United States?1256 Words   |  5 Pagesï » ¿Introduction The question of whether national citizenship is still relevant as a nationally-ascribed designator of membership and rights is best answered with a single word: Depends. Within the United States, national citizenship has conferred rights and duties that remain viable hundreds of years after their creation. Outside the United States, national citizenship is essentially irrelevant. National Citizenship Is Still Relevant as a Nationally-Ascribed Designator of Membership and RightsRead MoreA Brief History Of Rome And Its Strategic Relationships With Latium863 Words   |  4 PagesIntroduction To answer this question, I will first provide a brief history of Rome and its strategic relationships with Latium in particular over the period from the 7th to the 2nd centuries BC. I will then explore why the treatment of the outlying Latium towns was so important to the Roman government. Latium refers to the coastal plains south of the river Tiber. Today it forms part of the Lazio region. Etruscan city-states were to its north-west, the Sabines occupied the north and there were GreekRead More The Fall of the Roman Empire Due to Army, Citizens, Barbarianism1587 Words   |  7 Pageseventual fall, of the Roman empire. The deficient Emperor role led to the lacking military response to invasions, civil war and peasant uprisings.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  ROMAN EMPIRE AND ITS EMPEROR   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ever since the adoptive system which was installed by Marcus Aurelius was never reinstalled after his death, effective leadership in governing Rome was lacking. It was clearly visible that the Roman Emperor was the backbone of Roman stability and therefore the strength of the Roman army was also crucialRead MoreThe Period Of The Punic Wars918 Words   |  4 Pagesorganisational chart fashion, reflecting structural similarities, there were important differences in the allocation of responsibilities, concepts of citizenship and the scope and exercise of power. I will firstly provide a brief history of governance in the two societies and then depict the structural similarities before highlighting important differences. Brief history of governance Rome’s early government was essentially a democratic monarchy. It comprised a king, a senate (council of elders) and a ComitiaRead MoreEssay about The Fall of the Roman Empire1275 Words   |  6 PagesThe Fall of the Roman Empire A reason that leads to Romes inability to remain self-sustaining as an Empire was its lack of technology. Technological advance did not increase at a rate proportional to the increase of the people per square mile. This lead to the inability of the Romans to become self-sustaining. Once again the slave trade was a reason that their technology levels failed to increase. The bulk of work done in the Roman Empire was always carried out by the slaves. This providedRead MoreSimilarities Greeks and Romans Essay896 Words   |  4 PagesRome. | Essay. | | Zack Skone | 4/18/2013 | This document is about the similarities and differences between Ancient Greece and Rome. | Comparisons and differences between the Ancient Greeks and Romans The Ancient Greeks and Romans both began their histories as city-states. While the coastline and the mountainous terrain of the Greek peninsula isolated the various Greek cities from one another, the city of Rome was located in the middle of north-south boarder. Bordered onRead MoreRoman Republic And The Roman Empire1146 Words   |  5 Pages Roman Military The Roman Republic and the Roman Empire together lasted for over one-thousand years,and at its height, their extensive territories stretched from the Atlantic Ocean in the West, to the rivers of Mesopotamia in the East, and from the Sahara desert in the South, to the River Rhine in Northern Europe. The one factor that made this spectacular feat possible was the exploits of the Roman Military. The military had succeeded in their expansion campaigns and had successfully defended