Empress Messalina, married to Claudius, wielded significant power in Rome but faced a scandalous downfall after her secret marriage to Gaius Silius in AD 48.
A concise overview of the Roman Republic's political structure and its decline: Initially designed to prevent tyranny through a balance of power, the Republic faced internal conflicts due to economic and social tensions. These conflicts led to civil wars, as figures like Sulla, Pompey, and Octavian struggled for control, ultimately dismantling the Republic and paving the way for autocratic rule.
