<Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> <P> The Roman Republic (Latin: Res publica Romana, Classical Latin: (ˈreːs ˈpuːb. lɪ. ka roːˈmaː.na)) was the era of classical Roman civilization beginning with the overthrow of the Roman Kingdom, traditionally dated to 509 BC, and ending in 27 BC with the establishment of the Roman Empire . It was during this period that Rome's control expanded from the city's immediate surroundings to hegemony over the entire Mediterranean world . </P> <P> Roman government in the early Republic was dominated by patricians, a wealthy, landowning minority who traced their ancestry to Rome's foundation, and had overthrown its monarchy . They shared the former powers of the kings among themselves, in the form of annually elected magistracies, senior military posts, and influential priesthoods . Republican government was headed by two consuls, advised by a senate of magistrates and ex-magistrates . Social class and status determined a citizen's voting rights, the value of his vote, and his lawful capacity for high civil, military and religious office; a patrician's vote far outweighed that of a citizen - commoner (pleb); this led to conflicts between the patrician minority and the far more numerous plebs . A series of constitutional reforms recognised wealthy, leading plebeian families as a legitimate aristocracy, and their most distinguished, reputable men as eligible for the highest elected offices . </P> <P> Republican tradition and morality fostered competition for office and personal honours in service of the Republic . Among the elite, military service was a prerequisite to a career in politics . Patronage was an essential feature of Rome's economy and social structure . Republican conservatives and traditionalists were wary of demagogues; appeals to the plebs for direct political support could be interpreted as tyranny, and subversion of established order . The aristocratic Gracchi brothers introduced land reforms on behalf of landless plebs, and were murdered by their opponents . </P>

The highest officials in the government of the roman republic were