Roman citizenship came with privileges and obligations, emphasizing the importance of citizenship in Roman society, although it was limited to a small percentage of the population.

Auxiliaries, who were often newly conquered war-like peoples, served alongside Roman legions for 25 years and earned Roman citizenship upon discharge, leading to their children becoming Roman legionaries.

Rome's success can be attributed to its ability to integrate conquered peoples and ideas, often granting them a degree of Roman citizenship.

In early Roman society, only property owners could serve in the legions, reflecting the belief that those who fought for Rome should have a vested interest in its defense.

The aristocrats in Rome became increasingly dissatisfied as power became concentrated in a smaller subset of their class, leading to feelings of exclusion.

Roman society was deeply traditional-minded and conservative, often resistant to necessary changes that could have saved the Republic.

The wealthy Romans had the leisure time to engage in literacy and statecraft, believing this made them the best suited to lead the Republic, despite their reluctance to educate the lower classes.

The Romans would often take the sons of conquered tribal leaders, raise them as Romans, and incorporate them into their society, turning enemies into allies. As early as the second century AD, Roman emperors and senators began to come from provinces like Spain and North Africa, rather than just Italy.

By around 100 BC, despite Rome's success, nearly every group within society felt they had not shared in the benefits, leading to intense unhappiness and internal strife.