What kind of government was the Roman Empire in reality?
In reality, the Roman Empire was a republic, not simply a rule by Caesars. It depended on its senate and representatives, and its political structure contained the early seeds of democracy. Although often associated with absolute imperial rule, Rome functioned through a consensus of many, a representative form of government.
Les explains that even though we normally think of Rome as governed by the Caesars, in reality it was a republic. It depended on its senate and its representatives, and he identifies this as the seeds of democracy, in its infancy. Politically, this fits the progression from absolute power to a consensus of two, then four, then many. Les also notes the Roman Empire’s legs, East and West: the East was capitalized in Constantinople, while the West stayed at Rome. The kingdom was divided, part iron and part clay, partly strong and partly broken, with no real strength, and it passed off the scene between 300 and 400 A.D.