The ancient method of governance that characterized the Roman Republic was a form of mixed government, combining elements of democracy, aristocracy, and monarchy. The Republic featured a complex system of checks and balances, with elected officials known as magistrates overseeing various state functions. The Senate, comprised of patricians, served as an advisory body but held significant influence over laws and policies. Popular assemblies allowed citizens to vote on legislation and elect representatives. This structure aimed to prevent the concentration of power and grant some level of participation to the citizenry, although political power remained primarily in the hands of the elite.