Cicero Flashcards
1
Q
What official reason is given for Cicero’s exile - by who and how?
A
- Clodius gave the reason that Cicero killed the Catiline Conspirators without a trial - which was illegal.
- Clodius introduced a bill that banished any magistrate that put a citizen to death without a trial
2
Q
What was the real reason for Cicero’s exile in 58BCE?
A
Cicero had refused any offers to join the triumvirate, and he had refused any offer to keep him from speaking out against them.
In order to prevent Cicero from working against them - the triumvirate had to exile him.
3
Q
In 70BCE how is Collegiality first broken?
A
Pompey is given a Consulship before he is old enough to have one.
4
Q
When and by Who are provincial commands refused?
A
- 69BCE Pompey and Crassus refused because they were not glossy enough
- 62BCE Cicero declines as he does not want to be away from Rome (rejects Macedonia)
- 59BCE Caesar rejects the trees and roads command as he wants a military one
- 66BCE Cicero rejects Pro-Praetorian and 63BCE rejects pro-consular
5
Q
Who was part of the First Triumvirate and why?
A
Pompey - Needed the support of optimates to gain land for his veterans, and have his eastern settlements ratified.
Crassus - A tax rebate for equestrian farmer, he was their spokesman and had not predicted the economic disruption to Asia in the Mithridates war
Caesar - To have a consulship for 59BCE and a province in 58BCE for his military ability
6
Q
What opposition did Caesar face in the first consulship of 59BCE
A
- The senate was hostile towards him and his colleague (Bibulus) was there to check his actions
- The senate met Pompey land for his veterans with prolonged obstruction
- Caesar presented the land bill to the assembly but Bibulus vetoed it and refused to withdraw the veto
7
Q
Who were the Candidates for the consulship of 63?
A
- Cicero
- Catiline
- Hybrida
8
Q
What was the name of Cicero’s first wife and daughter?
A
Wife - Terrentia
Daughter - Tulia
9
Q
What does the term ‘Novus Homo’ mean?
A
‘New Man’ - The first in his family to serve in the senate
Cicero was a Novus Homo
10
Q
When did Cicero first leave for Greece and why?
A
Cicero left/escaped to Greece in 79BCE in order to avoid the wrath of Sulla.
11
Q
When was the conference of Luca and why was it called?
A
In 56BCE - The triumvirate met to discuss the future of the alliance and to provide for a public reconciliation between the three
12
Q
What was the Cursus Honorum?
A
The public offices that could be held by aspiring politcians/magistrates in Rome, each with different requirements - A ladder of office
- Questors
- Aediles
- Praetor
- Consul
13
Q
What were Questors and what did they do?
A
- 1st Step in the Cursus Honorum
- 8 Elected every year & held office for one year
- Financial and administrative officials that maintained public records
- Financial assistant to Governors
- In charge of army pay
- Acted as paymasters when accompanying generals on campaigns
- Had to be 27 years old (minimum)
14
Q
What were Aediles and what did they do?
A
- 2nd Step in the Cursus Honorum
- 4 Elected every year & held office for one year
- Arranged public festival and games (had to fund them themselves as well as their campaign)
- In charge of public buildings
- Maintained streets of Rome
- Took care of cities water supply
- Had to be at least 29 years old
15
Q
What were Praetors and what did they do?
A
- 3rd Step in the Cursus Honorum
- 6 elected every year & held office for one year
- Held imperium and accompanied by 6 licitors
- Supreme civil judge in Rome & sometimes commanded and Army
- Could introduce legislation
- Had to be 33 years old minimum
- Prorogation: The extension of imperium beyond the end of the year of office
16
Q
What were Consuls and what did they do?
A
- Top of Cursus Honorum
- Two elected every year
- Held imperium and could command war and execute law (including death penalty)
- Commanded the army
- Conducted chief elections
- Presided over meeting of the Senate and implemented Senate decisions.
- Had to be 36 years old
17
Q
What were Tribunes and what did they do?
A
- 10 Tribunes every year
- Representatives of the Roman People
- Had to be between 27-33 years old
- Had the right to veto other tribunes and magistrates proposals
- While in office they were Sacrosanct
18
Q
What were Dictators and what did they do?
A
- One Dictator would be elected for 6 months in a time of crisis
- They held the imperium of two consuls
- Superseded all others in military or domestic emergencies
19
Q
What is Collegiality?
A
The sharing of imperium to prevent one man gaining excess power
20
Q
Who made up the Senate?
A
- Senators were high status citizens with a certain property qualification, most were ex-magistrates from wealthy families
21
Q
How big was the Senate?
A
- Originall 100 Patrician elders
- By Tiberius Gracchus there were 300
- By Sulla there were 600 Senators
- Caesar increased it to 900
- Augustus then reduced it back to 600
22
Q
What were the functions of the Senate?
A
- Under republic they were the influential advisory body to senior magistrates
- In charge of Foreign Policy e.g. Reception of Envoys; Ratification of Treaties and Selection of annual provinces
- Discussed and Scrutinised legislation
23
Q
How did the Cursus Honorum ensure collegiality?
A
- Necessary two year gap between each office
- No one is in power for very long (max 1 year)
- More than one person hold office (2, 8, 4, 20)
- Go through all offices before reaching ‘top’
- Minimum age for each office
- Had to be elected into each office
- 10 year gap between holding each office
24
Q
What were the Optimates and Populares?
A
The Senate became divided after the Gracci & first political murder in 400 years - leading to two groups.
25
Who were the Optimates?
- A group of people who wanted to maintain the status quo after the Gracchus period
- Mostly senators and nobles
- Opposed changed to wealth, authority and prestige
- Ruthless in protecting their own interests
26
Who were the Populares?
- Mostly senators
- proposed reform without consulting the senate
- Thought legislation should be proposed without being senate approved first
- Some may have been interested in reform after Gracchan period but most wanted political advancement.
- Many became optimates when it suited their careers.
27
What Financial and Social difficulties did Cicero face when starting his career?
- Not from Rome and unknown by the people
- He did not have any military experience and held no Pre-Eminence
- He was a Novus Homo
- Didn't have enough funds for campaigns and lacked property qualifications
- No base in Rome
- No experience in Roman politics and not magisterial ancestors
- Lacked support from Senate & viewed as outsider
28
What was the Rosicus trial?
- Trial was in 80BCE
- Sextus Roscius (son) was on trial accused of killing Sextus Roscius (father)
- Sextus' punishment would be to be put into a bag with a snake and monkey and a cockrel and drowned
- The punishment was so extreme as killing your father equates to killing god
29
What was Ciceros status at the time of the Roscius trial and who was he up against?
- Cicero was an unknown lawyer defending Sextus, up against the pre-eminent layer Erucius
30
Who was Cicero not meant to mention in the Rosicus trial and why?
- Cicero was told not to refer to Chrysogonus as he was Sullas right hand man
31
How did Cicero use 'Qui Bono' in the Roscius Trial?
- Qui Bono = Who Benefited
| - Who profited from the murder, because Sextus did not but his cousins Magnus and Capito did as well as Chrysogonus
32
What part did the proscription list and the sale of land play in the Rosicus Trial?
- Erucius produced a proscription list showing that Sextus (father) was on it, so could be legally killed but not by his son.
- Cicero says his name was added later as it was signed by Chrysogonus
- Sextus' land was to be sold at auction for 6 Million Sesertes but the crows was intimidated by a group of men into not biding, the land was sold to Magnus for two thousand Sesertes.
33
How was Chrysogonus a part of the sale of land in the Rosicus Trial?
- Sulla sent Chrysogonus to answer questions about land
| - Chrysogonus promised to return land, he didn't, he worked with Capito who was given 3 farms
34
What was the outcome of the Rosicus trial
- Sextus was found not guilty
| - Cicero became the pre-eminent lawyer in Rome
35
How did Cicero use Oratory in the Roscius trial?
- Talks/engages with audience
- Makes sure he blames Chrysogonus not Sulla
- 'Qui Bono'
- Makes personal insults
- Repeats questions until he gets an answer
- Appeals to the Senate: "Will you murder a man for him?"
- On everyone's side e.g. Defending people from Chrysogonus and the Senate
- Fear tactics
- Alienates Chrysogonus e.g Greek enemy
36
What did Cicero do after the Roscius Trial?
- Defended a woman who opposed disenfranchisement of Italy by Sulla, this gained him support
- Married Terrentia
- Left to Greece to evade Sulla
- Met Atticus in Greece
- Learned Rhetoric and philosophy
37
When and Why did Cicero marry Terrentia?
- Married in 79BCE
- He was 27 she was 17
- Her cousin was a vestal virgin
- She was wealthy
- Has the property requirement
- Has Consuls in her ancestry
- Interested in his Career
38
How did the Pro-Roscius trial make Cicero 'Pre-Eminent'?
- He beat Erucius the former 'Pre-Eminent' Lawyer which made Cicero the best lawyer
- Led him to marry Terrentia who had the wealth and property required
- Gave Cicero public attention that he would otherwise not have had
- Led him to defend the lower classes and gained their support
39
What was 'Concordia Ordinum'?
- 'Harmony of the Orders'
- All classes working together for the good of Rome
- Developed by Cicero when he saw how well the senatorial and equestrian order worked together, and how productive Rome could be
40
What does the term 'Timocratic' refer to?
A voting system that favoured the wealthy
41
What is Auctoritas?
The authority or ability to influence
42
What is Amici?
- Political friendship/allies
- Help each other politically
- Does not relate to real friendship
e. g. the Triumvirate
43
What is a 'Veto' and who could it be used by?
- A veto is the right to reject/block a decision made or a piece of legislature put forward in the senate
- Tribunes had the power to veto
44
What is meant by 'Hellenisation'?
- Greek culture and the diffusion of that culture particularly into Roman life
- Diffusion of culture e.g. Language and Literature; Art and Architecture; Philosophy; Religion; Rhetoric and Fashion
45
What is Imperium?
Imperium is 'absolute power' that than be given or held by a person e.g. Pompey in the Lex Gabinia
46
Who was Hortensius and what was Cicero's opinion of him?
- One of Cicero's rival speakers
| - Cicero thought that his style was 'Asianic' showy, rhythmical and pointed
47
How did Cicero find his election to Queastor?
- Gained election easily, no evidence that he had any difficulties in securing elections from tribes
- Used his and his friends contacts to ensure votes
- Unlikely he used contacts to secure bribes
48
Where was Cicero assigned during his Queastorship?
- Entered office on 1 January 75BCE
- Assigned Western Sicily - one of Romes provincial conquests
- Supplied corn and other foods
49
What did Cicero do while in Sicily (queastorship)?
- Devoted himself to distributing Corn to Rome
- Ensured his clerks behaved themselves
- Wanted to extend his connections
- Continue his skill as a speaker and defend Romans in court
- Increased his popularity by sending Grain back to Rome
50
What class was Cicero born into and why does it matter?
- Born into the equestrian class
| - The son of and Eques Romanus (this name covers local aristocrats, businessmen and fiances)
51
What happened when Cicero returned from Sicily (queastorship) and what did it motivate him to do?
- Left Sicily expecting to be remembered and rewarded
- When he landed in Peraoli no one knew who he was or which province he held
- Decided never to leave Rome again
- Decided to run for aedile to become popular and known again
52
Who was Verres? Outline his background.
- Mainly known for Governor of Sicily
- Also a Queastor, Consul and commanding officer or Carbo
- He left Carbo with nothing then was appointed to the province he previously held
- Was a provincial legate upon Asia and Pamphylia
- Took a praetorship in Rome then Governorship in Sicily
53
What were some of the crimes that Verres committed?
- Verres isn't being prosecuted for crimes before Sicily
- He despoiled Sicily to the point of no return
- Stole property
- Cancelled all inheritance and controlled all legal cases
- Treated allies as enemies & Criminals acquitted via bribery and innocent men prosecuted
- Left gates open to Pirates so they could rob cities and harbours
- Sicilians starved to death
- Ancient monument and sanctuaries plundered
54
Why did the Sicilians ask Cicero to prosecute against Verres for them?
- Served as their Queastor in 75BCE
- Assistant Governor 5 years prior so had a reputation for honesty
- Taken many Sicilians into his clientele and become a patron of many
- Member of senate but not Verres' circle
- Was an equestrian so supported business
- A successful lawyer
55
Why did Cicero take the Verres case?
- He could not refuse a formal request from Sicilian Protegees
- The Case may bring support from other provinces, and get him noticed for Aedile
- To Challenge Hortensius' supremacy in court
- Wanted Verres' role in the senate
- Sicilians had suffered badly
56
How does Cicero prepare for the Verres trial?
- Went to Sicily in person to collect evidence
- Knows to be quick as Verres wants to occupy court
- Sought out witnesses in 50 Days
- Cicero was elected to Aedile
57
What issues did Cicero face during the Verres trial?
- Faced rumour saying he had been bribed to loose
- Hortensius was elected Consul
- Verres' brother succeeded him in Sicily and Metteleus' brother was elected Praetor
- Verres spent a lot of money against Cicero
58
How was Verres connected to Mettelus, Hortensius, Lucius and Mettelus' brother?
Mettelus - Friend of Verres, head of extortion court and Consul
Hortensius - Ally of Verres and consul of 69BCE
Lucius' - His brother, new Governor of Sicily, could intimidate and destroy evidence
Mettelus' brother - patron of the courts.
59
What were some of the reasons for the Civil war starting?
- Caesar wanted to avoid prosecution for illegal acts
- Caesar believed that his troops were stronger than Pompey
- Caesar was quarrelling with Pompey, the Senate, the Optimates and anyone who wanted to stop him from being Consul
- Caesar offered to negotiate/disarm with Pompey but he refused
- Pompey secured an extension for his provincial command in Spain but wouldn't for Caesar in Gaul
- Caesar led troops across the Rubicon and into Italy
- Pompey fled to Greece
60
How did Caesar have an advantage over Pompey by the Civil War in 49BCE
- Caesar had gone to Spain and had cut off Pompey's supporters
- Pompey had left for Greece so Caesar was in control of Rome
- Caesar had access to the treasury so could pay his troops
61
After the Civil War what powers did Caesar hold?
- All offices were second to Caesar, he was above the Veto
- He was able to sit with and used powers of the tribunes of public occasions
- Held Consulship in 48,46,45 and a sole consulship in 44
62
What were some of Caesars Honours?
- 45BCE Hailed as Parens Patriae (father of the state)
- 46-49BCE Had title of Imperator which was given to victorious generals
- 44BCE His head appeared on coins
- A statue was placed in the quirinus beside statues of kings of Rome
- Right to speak first in the Senate
63
What were some of Caesars reforms?
- Created uniform gov system for towns in Italy, managed by elected magistrates
- Brought in new calendar with leap year
- Month of quicillis renamed July
- Senate numbers brought up to 900
- Jewish faith could worship freely
- 1/3 working of estates must be free/freed men
- Granted franchise to Transpadane Gaul
- Penalties for criminal offences increased
64
What was the rape of Lucretia and how did it lead to the formation of the republic?
- Tarquin was the final king of Rome
- One of his sons broke into his friends wife's chamber (Lucretia) and raped her
- In order to preserve her family honour Lucretia told everyone then stabbed herself
- Junius Brutus, a family friend but also Tarquins nephew pulled out the knife and vowed revenge
- Brutus displayed the corpse in town to anger people then led a revolt against the monarchs
- When the fighting was over in 507 BC Rome was a republic with Brutus as its executive
65
What was the structure of the republic after it was formed?
- Senators were the sons of Romes oldest & noblest families who held a lifetime term
- Senators were elected by the Senate
- Every year the Senate chooses 2 consuls who held authority for a year
- Consuls had lictors
- Initially Rome was ruled by old noble families and the rest were plebians
66
Why did the plebeians revolt against the nobles/patricians?
- When the Plebeians were off at war the Patricians would help out families with loans
- But the loans had to be repaid as part of enforcing the repayments was part of the state
- If the solider could not repay they lost savings, land and even freedom
- After the lenders of the loans had beaten, enslaved murdered etc. enough plebeians the plebs decided to revolt
- The senate went into a stall
67
How did the plebeians revolt against the nobles/patricians?
- One day an army was ordered to march, but the plebeians marched the wrong way
- They marched away and fortified a camp that they'd succeeded from the Senate
- The senate agreed to negotiate
68
What did the revolt of the Plebeians achieve?
- Plebs & Senate created a new office in the government
| - The new office - 'Tribune of the People' - aimed to protect the people of Rome
69
What powers did Tribunes hold?
- Elected by tribes
- Personally inviolate to lay hands on them = They were sacrosanct
- Had the power to Veto any law passed by the Senate
70
What happened to the elections of 54 BC?
They were delayed
71
What does 'Imperium' mean?
Absolute power
72
Definition of a dictator in Rome
Someone who is elected for 6 months when there is a crisis - sometimes this power is abused e.g. Caesar
73
What does 'pre-eminent' mean?
To be the best/first in your field of work
| e.g. Cicero is the 'pre-eminent' lawyer after the Roscius trial and after the Verres trial
74
What is a 'novus homo'
A 'new' man in politics, with no consul in their ancestry
75
What is prorogation?
An extension of an imperium command
76
What is Potestas?
The power of lower magistartes
77
Definition of collegiality
The sharing of imperium to stop one man growing too powerful or gaining excessive power
78
What is the 'cursus honorum'?
Romes ladder of offices
79
What did the tribune Gabinus propose and when?
Proposed the Lex Gabinia in 67
80
What did the tribune Manilius propose and when?
Proposed the Lex Manilia - Pompey's command against Mithridates in 66
81
What did the tribune Rullus propose and when?
Proposed the agrarian land bill in 63
82
What is prorogation?
The extension of imperium as consul or propraetor
83
What is 'senatus consultum ultium'?
A decree of the senate passed against Catiline
84
What is an Equs Roman?
A roman citizen/equite
85
What is Hellenisation?
The influence of Greek culture in Roman society
86
What is potestas?
The power of lesser magistrates
87
What is an optimate?
A conservative - they want society to carry on with no change
88
What is a populares?
A liberal - they want reforms
89
What is Amici?
Political friendship
90
What does 'suo anno' mean?
The youngest age you can do something
91
What is a veto?
The blocking of things passed in the senate
92
What is auctoritas?
The ability to influence people
93
Definition of an Aedile
Not necessary - but an advised ladder of office, takes on the general running of Rome
94
Definition of a Questor
The first ladder of office, they are a financial assistant
95
Definition of a Praetor
The third ladder of office, includes judges and generals
96
Definition of a tribune
From the lower classes, they represent the people and have the power to veto
97
What does timocratic mean?
It is the voting system used that favoured the wealthy
98
What is concordia ordinum?
The idea of classes working together, developed by Cicero
