Cicero and the res publica
Cicero’s ideal Rome
- Wished for roman republic to exist in a state of Concordia ordinum – political ideal held by cicero
where the original structures of the republican constitution were encouraged to flourish and continue
Aristocracy and equites united in common good of governing the roman state
Ideal involved maintain a perfect status quo of a clear social order of Rome
Ideal that could be retrieved and re-embedded
- Gracchi brothers – extended power of tribunate so far it had been deliberately squashed by Sulla later
- Time of cicero – ‘traditional’ oligarchy of the republic had been challenged by powerful individuals
Took advantage of the social and economic change of the 2 nd century
- Aim was to establish a Rome that prospered from a period and future of cum dignitate otium –
‘leisure with prestige’
Refer to an absolute social, religious, legal and political status quo
In response to recent periods of conquest, civil violence and political disruption
- Importance placed on a umber of qualities needed for those with the responsibility of the health of
the roman state
Duty, libertas, dignitas and traditional moral values embodied in part by stoic philosophy
- Verres case – projected his idealism further afield than simply in Rome
Raising fundamental new questions about how Rome should govern its provinces
- Driven by a strong intellectual and moral outlook
- Not in favour of meritocracy/democracy
- Made clear his negative feelings towards the general populace and their inability to govern the state
Through philosophical treatises on politics and letters to Atticus
- Key to Rome’s successful future
Ensuring dignitas and power of upper classes
Ensuring a harmony between the optimates and the equites
Only the boni (very best, wealthy and capable men) were placed in positions of political, legal,
financial and military power
o Duty as patrons of the lower orders would make sure that the ruling classes would
establish peace and justice
Cicero, the optimates and populares
- Relationship with optimates – central from outset of his career
Had to convince them that he as a novus homo and member of the equites could work alongside
them while continuing to build up a significant network of amicitia at all social levels
- Aedile in 69 – successfully defended his first senator in court
Fonteius – accusation of extortion during his governorship of Gaul
Grew his political network of supporters from both orders – Fonteius had been a senator who had
protected in the interests of the equites
- 60’s – forced to side as pragmatically as possible between rising political factions
- Had to court a path between optimates and individuals like Pompey
Popularity and power could not be ignored
- 67 – campaigning for office of praetor
- 66 – lengthy political speech advocating Pompey as the ideal man to assume another extraordinary
command
Replace optimate Lucullus in the east – unsuccessful in concluding Rome’s fight against
mithridates
Small group of optimates – closely supported Lucullus
Chose to announce his support of Pompey in public – risked his own alienation from the group of
men he had supported
- Manilian law passed – Pompey granted imperium to fight in the east
Cicero’s ideal Rome
- Wished for roman republic to exist in a state of Concordia ordinum – political ideal held by cicero
where the original structures of the republican constitution were encouraged to flourish and continue
Aristocracy and equites united in common good of governing the roman state
Ideal involved maintain a perfect status quo of a clear social order of Rome
Ideal that could be retrieved and re-embedded
- Gracchi brothers – extended power of tribunate so far it had been deliberately squashed by Sulla later
- Time of cicero – ‘traditional’ oligarchy of the republic had been challenged by powerful individuals
Took advantage of the social and economic change of the 2 nd century
- Aim was to establish a Rome that prospered from a period and future of cum dignitate otium –
‘leisure with prestige’
Refer to an absolute social, religious, legal and political status quo
In response to recent periods of conquest, civil violence and political disruption
- Importance placed on a umber of qualities needed for those with the responsibility of the health of
the roman state
Duty, libertas, dignitas and traditional moral values embodied in part by stoic philosophy
- Verres case – projected his idealism further afield than simply in Rome
Raising fundamental new questions about how Rome should govern its provinces
- Driven by a strong intellectual and moral outlook
- Not in favour of meritocracy/democracy
- Made clear his negative feelings towards the general populace and their inability to govern the state
Through philosophical treatises on politics and letters to Atticus
- Key to Rome’s successful future
Ensuring dignitas and power of upper classes
Ensuring a harmony between the optimates and the equites
Only the boni (very best, wealthy and capable men) were placed in positions of political, legal,
financial and military power
o Duty as patrons of the lower orders would make sure that the ruling classes would
establish peace and justice
Cicero, the optimates and populares
- Relationship with optimates – central from outset of his career
Had to convince them that he as a novus homo and member of the equites could work alongside
them while continuing to build up a significant network of amicitia at all social levels
- Aedile in 69 – successfully defended his first senator in court
Fonteius – accusation of extortion during his governorship of Gaul
Grew his political network of supporters from both orders – Fonteius had been a senator who had
protected in the interests of the equites
- 60’s – forced to side as pragmatically as possible between rising political factions
- Had to court a path between optimates and individuals like Pompey
Popularity and power could not be ignored
- 67 – campaigning for office of praetor
- 66 – lengthy political speech advocating Pompey as the ideal man to assume another extraordinary
command
Replace optimate Lucullus in the east – unsuccessful in concluding Rome’s fight against
mithridates
Small group of optimates – closely supported Lucullus
Chose to announce his support of Pompey in public – risked his own alienation from the group of
men he had supported
- Manilian law passed – Pompey granted imperium to fight in the east
