Final answer:
The early Roman Republican era saw the overthrow of the monarchy around 509 BCE, leading to the establishment of a republic with elected officials. Roman society was divided into patricians and plebeians, with the latter fighting for equal rights in the Struggle of the Orders. Over time, though the plebeians achieved political representation, the Republic faced many challenges, including social unrest and corruption, contributing to its eventual fall.
Step-by-step explanation:
The early Roman Republican era was marked by significant political changes that shaped the structure of Roman society and governance. The most prominent of these changes was the overthrow of the monarchy and the establishment of a republican government. This transition, which occurred around 509 BCE, involved the expulsion of the last Roman king, Lucius Tarquinius Superbus, after which the Romans founded the Roman Republic.
During this period, Roman society was distinctly divided between the patricians and plebeians. The patricians were the aristocratic elite and had exclusive rights to hold public office and seats in the Senate, while the plebeians, or commoners, initially had limited rights. The Struggle of the Orders was a significant social conflict that saw the plebeians fight for and gradually gain equal political representation and legal equality.
The governance of the Roman Republic involved multiple assemblies and the Senate, which was the main institution of power. Over time, the plebeians secured the creation of the position of the tribune, providing them with a political champion in the government to protect their interests. Despite various reforms, including debt relief and a more democratic law-making process, the threat of patrician domination persisted well into the Republic's history. By the late Republic, Rome was plagued by social unrest, a wealth divide, and corruption within its governing bodies, ultimately contributing to its downfall.