To what extent was the Roman Republic a democracy? Make sure to use historical evidence to support your answer.

It all began when the Romans overthrew their Etruscan conquerors in 509 B. C. E. Centered north of Rome, the Etruscans had ruled over the Romans for hundreds of years.

Once free, the Romans established a republic, a government in which citizens elected representatives to rule on their behalf. A republic is quite different from a democracy, in which every citizen is expected to play an active role in governing the state.