If one were to look through world history, he or she would discover the many forms of government and how they came to be. In the case of Rome, many historians would say that it had a period where it was a republic and a period where it was an empire. However, when examined in detail, the Roman Republic fails to reflect a true republic. Although it had republican qualities, it was ultimately created to give the people a false sense of security and power within the Roman government. The ancient city of Rome was never a true republic because its features do not fit the definition of a republic or the republics of other ancient societies, and because of its biased political system. According to Scipio's definition of a republic, Rome was never a true republic. republic not because of the way it conducted its affairs, but rather because of the way it ruled its people. Scipio's definition of a republic is found in The City of God, where St. Augustus explains: “. . . if we accept the definition given by Scipio in Cicero's De Republica, there never was a Roman Republic; for he briefly defines a republic as the good of the people. And if this definition is true, there never was a Roman Republic because the good of the people was never achieved among the Romans. Because the people, according to its definition, are a group associated by a common recognition of rights and by a community of interests. And what he means by common recognition of law, he explains in detail, showing that a republic cannot be administered without justice. Where there is no true justice, there can be no law. . . justice is that virtue which gives to each what is due to him” (Auguste XIX). This quote refers to Rome's disregard for the middle of paper ......nment of the United States of America today. Lobbyists write checks to political leaders to get what they want. And as much as American citizens might not like to realize it, their freedom and power in the country is diminishing every day. The tragic and titanic fall of Rome should be a warning to the educated citizens of America to try to change what the government is doing and what this country is heading toward, but it is a warning that is not widely taken into account. In the words of Joseph Anthony Wittreich, “History may not repeat itself, but it rhymes…” If America continues on its quiet path, it could be headed toward a destiny similar to that of Rome and its flame ephemeral could go out as quickly as it was lit.Works CitedAugustine. The City of God. Np: np, 426 AD. Print. Wittreich, Joseph Anthony. Feminist Milton. Ithaca: Cornell UP, 1987. Print.