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[Explain why neither one changed anything.]

Why would they change anything? These were just attempts to gain supreme power with new fig leaves. Even the post-revolution carnage resembled that of the past. The rulers killed potential challengers among the men who had helped them take power and whacked large numbers of the ancien regime. New boss, same as the old boss.

Why did no one attempt to stop the slide towards dictatorship? No one felt particularly motivated to risk his one and only neck for some nebulous greater good. Traditionally, the only worthwhile reason for doing so was to take the throne personally or to gain significant reward by backing someone with the potential to win it. Who moved to stop Napoleon from crowning himself emperor? After an abortive burst of enthusiasm ended by Octavian’s and Mark Antony’s victory, who else stood up to restore the Roman Republic, to once again rid Rome of its kings?