Obviously the republic era, before Caesar. The civic virtue within the republic of Rome was so great that to this day our institutions mirror those of their ag

Obviously the republic era, before Caesar. The civic virtue within the republic of Rome was so great that to this day our institutions mirror those of their age. They were extremely democratic. But not in a modern sense. Do note that all systems are bound to get corrupt, whither and die. But the best are extremely resistant to corruption. And strong anti populist safeguards are a property of all of them.