Curiosities of ancient Rome (System and politics)
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Cicero in Cilicia: governor by force and appointment
In 51 BCE, Marcus Tullius Cicero, Rome’s greatest orator and one of its leading intellectuals, was reluctant to travel east to assume the office of governor of Cilicia. For a man whose entire life revolved around the political intrigues of ... Read more
Curatores aquarum – officials responsible for waterworks
In ancient Rome, the water supply system was managed by officials known as curatores aquarum. These were senators of consular rank, appointed by the emperor, responsible for overseeing the construction, maintenance and operation of the city’s aqueducts and water distribution ... Read more
Foedus – form of covenant in ancient Rome
Foedus, i.e., covenant or treaty, was one of ancient Rome’s most important diplomatic tools. During the early Republic, Rome used the foedera to secure alliances and stabilize its political influence in Italy and on the outskirts of the growing state. ... Read more
State according to Cicero – “res populi” as community of citizens
In the works of Cicero (106 – 43 BCE), one of the most important philosophers and politicians of ancient Rome, the state (res publica) was primarily a community of citizens. His approach to politics and the state was firmly rooted ... Read more
Princeps Senatus – first among Roman senators
In the Roman Republic, the Senate was one of the most important political bodies, playing a key role in shaping law and policy. It was headed by princeps senatus. This title did not mean formal power but brought enormous prestige ... Read more
Populares – voice of people in Roman Senate
Roman republic is famous for its rich political system, which has developed a complex power structure over the centuries. At the heart of this system, various political parties competed with each other, the most famous of which were the optimates ... Read more
Defender of Roman tradition who was afraid of women in forum
Cato the Elder, a tenacious defender of Roman values, became famous, among others, for his opposition to the repeal of lex Oppia. It was then, in one of the first mass demonstrations by women in Roman history, that Roman women ... Read more
You’re starving and you pretend you’re not
The battle of Philippi (43 BCE) in the far north of Greece, lost by the optimates, put an end to dreams of restoring the republic. Brutus and Cassius were dead, and soon after Cicero’s beheaded head was hung on a ... Read more
Voting in ancient Rome
From the beginning of Roman statehood, various types of population gatherings played a huge role. They had different names – tribe committees, centurial committees, and curial committees. Their shape and competencies have evolved, so I do not want to go ... Read more
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