Final answer:
Before becoming an empire, Rome was first a monarchy and then a republic. Initially ruled by kings, Rome transitioned to a republic with elected magistrates and a Senate after a public outcry against monarchical tyranny. As Rome expanded, its government encompassed colonial and municipal levels.
Step-by-step explanation:
Rome's Forms of Government Before Becoming an Empire
Before Rome became an empire, it underwent significant transformations in its system of governance. The first type of government was a monarchy, which was hereditary, with kings ruling over Rome. The monarchy was characterized by a succession of seven kings, starting with Romulus. However, this era of kings ended following a rebellion sparked by the injustices committed by the last king, Tarquin the Proud, leading to the establishment of the second type of government known as the republic.
During the republican era, Rome was ruled by elected magistrates and a Senate, with the main executive officers being two consuls. This government was representative, with a complex system involving the Centuriate Assembly that enacted laws and elected officials. The republic witnessed the Struggle of the Orders, which was a long-lasting social conflict between the patricians (aristocrats) and the plebeians (common people), aiming to achieve equality before the law. Eventually, this republic evolved into an empire, marking a new chapter in Roman history.
Rome's government structure also extended beyond its central authority. As it grew as a global power, its government system incorporated colonial and municipal levels. Colonies were essentially modeled on the Roman constitution, and municipalities were autonomous communities that were eventually granted Roman citizenship, extending Rome's influence and governance across vast territories.