Why did the creators of the Roman Republic work to ensure that no leader became to powerful?

Answer 1

Well, considering none of the founders of the Republic are still around, one can only make an educated guess. As the old saw suggests, absolute power corrupts absolutely. I'll pass on any current references. My guess is the founders believed that the good of the many outweighted the good of the one. To allow one person to become all powerful the odds were that one person would begin to work to consolidate and increase his own power to the detriment of the many. One only needs to look at absolute rulers throughout history, both in Rome and elsewhere. And history also points out that these absolute rulers became more conservative and reactionary, leading to their own or their countries ruin.

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Answer 2

Because they wanted, and were still struggling to find out the best way to have, strong leadership without absolute power.

One reason was the absolute ruler Sulla and his proscriptions. Read from the 4th paragraph here:

http://www.jerryfielden.com/essays/SULLA.HTM

The great stateman and orator Cicero was murdered and had his head hung on the rostrum in the Forum in Rome because Marcus Antonius didn't like what Cicero had said about him.

Answer 3

Because they understood human nature all too well. Look what happened when the Empire came along - the likes of Nero and Caligula.

Answer 4

They didn't want a kingdom. Julius was murdered because some senators believed he was setting himself up to become a king .