Rome’s influence can be seen in modern governments and states. One of its most important contributions was the notion of a republic, a state in which citizens have the power, rather than a monarch. The Roman Republic had legislative assemblies, elected officials, and checks and balances meant to give everyday citizens a voice.
While still elite-dominated, the idea that normal people should have a voice at all was borderline revolutionary. Modern countries like the United States and France have inherited this concept, labelling themselves “republics” and basing their institutions around the concept of representative democracy.
