Final answer:
Key figures in the Roman Republic played vital roles in shaping and influencing the government through their positions as consuls, senators, and tribunes. They had significant influence through their military victories, political alliances, and popularity with different factions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Key figures in the Roman Republic played vital roles in shaping and influencing the government. The Roman Republic had a complex system of government and representation, with key figures holding positions such as consuls, senators, and tribunes.
The consuls, elected annually, had almost unlimited power and oversaw the enforcement of laws. The senate, composed of aristocratic administrators, controlled state finances. Key figures from influential families worked behind the scenes to control voting blocks in the Centuriate Assembly and the Senate, ensuring their influence.
Some key figures during the Roman Republic included military commanders like Marius and Sulla, and political leaders like Crassus and Julius Caesar. These figures had significant influence on the affairs of the state through their military victories, political alliances, and popularity with different factions.