Chapter 1, Fault Lines, The Empire in Crisis, First Century B.C. Summary and Analysis

In the First Century, B.C., Rome had over a million inhabitants. It was the center of a far-flung empire that had significant trouble managing its vast holdings due to high communication costs and a relative absence of public infrastructure, police forces and banking services. The Roman Constitution was an evolutionary one, with new layers of government piled upon old over time. Roman history had led to a decision that no man should have too much power, so power was divided among Senators. Senators elected two Consuls who ruled for a year and traded seniority monthly. There were twenty Quaestors, who were responsible for administration and eight Praetors, who could exercise sovereign power. Dictators, however, could be appointed during emergencies. The...