[SunkenCiv]

The Republic was a fascist oligarchy in which a fairly small number of families owned all the land and held all the power. They went on increasing their holdings through suckering the citizens into fighting wars of conquest, then through usury, other financial bullying, and outright thuggery, confiscating lands from the commoner families while the dads and such were off fighting. By the time of the crisis which led to the creation of their version of a chief executive, much of the population was either enslaved (privately or “corporately” by the state) or indigent and landless — and most of the rest were in the armed forces.

[Grimmy]

I didn’t say they did it well, but the basis behind the republic form in it’s origin was an attempt to ensure no more tyrant kings. At least, that’s what I recall from the long ago days when I read about such things.

[slowhandluke]

Ok, was it fascist? Or an Oligarchy?

I doubt it was both. Or at least not the Fascism of 20th century Europe. So what features of 1st Century Rome do you consider fascist?

[Islander7]

The Republic was a fascist oligarchy in which a fairly small number of families owned all the land and held all the power. They went on increasing their holdings through suckering the citizens into fighting wars of conquest, then through usury, other financial bullying, and outright thuggery, confiscating lands from the commoner families while the dads and such were off fighting. By the time of the crisis which led to the creation of their version of a chief executive, much of the population was either enslaved (privately or “corporately” by the state) or indigent and landless — and most of the rest were in the armed forces.

Admit it, you are on 0bama's planning commission.