... sovereign, the monarch with nearly unlimited power. The main check on absolute power of the monarch was, clearly, the willingness of the great warriors who were below the apex to serve militarily, for that is the process of feudalism, service. As the top it is military service. Lower down it is service of labor in return for protection. As populations grew ... , towns and cities developed, and tribal organization broke down, the feudalistic government arose to do more than just provide military protection. It became the whole of government. The widespread custom of Feudalism was largely ...

• Word Count: 699
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... political support grows weaker. Commodus thinks that the people's support can be bought by gladiator games and free bread but Maximus realizes that the people want a self ruling and just government that is for the people by the people. With a central character grounded by family, religion, and a pledge of loyalty to the dream of a Roman Republic, the film allows time for ... conventionally war resolution in favor of the principles of democracy worked through a society which was sustained by imperialism and slavery. It has been quite some time since a mainstream American film set in Roma...

• Word Count: 1374
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate