Readings Flashcards
Titus Livius (Livy)
works were published between the end of the Republic and the establishment of the Principate
important to consider historical context in which he wrote his history of Rome
Livy: Reconciliation of the Founding Story
2 versions of the founding story: Aeneas escapes from Troy, founds Rome; or Romulus and Remus, sons of Mars, found Rome
Solution: Alban kings
Livy: Divine Origins of Rome
manifested in: the divine paternity of Romulus and Remus; the survival of the twins and rescue by the wolf and then Faustulus
Implications: significance of Mars (god of war) in particular, manner of rescue suggests divine plan specifically for Rome
Livy: the Death of Remus
centrality of internal strife and competition to Roman conception of selves and own history - foundation itself a repetition of Amulius and Numitor
apparent ambiguity of the will of the gods
Livy: the Composite Character of Roman Society
Aeneas and his Trojans are all accepted and become “Latins”
Romulus’ Asylum
Romulus kidnaps Sabine women and they became “Roman”
Numa (2nd king) is a Sabine, 5th is Etruscan
Livy: Kings as an Exploration of Civic Life
moral purpose of leadership: idea that elites serve as examples of good behavior and “stewards” of well-being
Pseudolus Plot
Calidorus wants prostitute Phoenicium but doesn’t have enough money
Pimp Ballio and father Simio try to stop him
Slave Pseudolus tricks Ballio and Simio to get Phoenicium back to Calidorus
Authority in Plautine Drama
authority in Roman society is located with the male, old, wealthy
fabula palliata often ends with this authority mocked or made to look ridiculous
“Safety Valve” Theory
said that the inversion of social norms in (for example) Plautus’ comedies or the Saturnalia was to relieve tensions
Non-Subversive Character of Plautine Comedy
recuperation of social order by the end of the play (Pseudolus ends up reconciling with Simo and doesn’t make him pay a dime)
plays also reinforce assumptions re relationship between master and slave
The First Verrine: The Stakes
Cicero was going up against the champ and had a lot to lose if he failed
public scrutiny by the rest of the political world
Career of C. Verres
known almost exclusively from Cicero’s testimony against him
said to have engaged in corrupt political administration in several offices (as legate in Asia, in Rome as urban praetor)
continued practice despite censure from Senate in 72
The Trial of Verres
70 BCE
Cicero brings charges against Verres for extortion “personal patronage”
Verres engages support of Hortensius, who tries to drag out trial
Cicero brings it to trial and gives a great speech
Hortensius encourages Verres to flee
Rhetorical Strategies of the First Verrine
begins not with guilt of Verres but peril of finding him innocent
presents as “opportunity” what is in fact a threat
tries to force jurors into a box - either you find him guilty or you’re corrupt because there’s NO way he’s innocent, but still subtly tries to praise jurors
effect is to isolate Verres and consolidate everyone else
“rascality” - Verres’ whole life and character is fair game
Cicero must demonstrate why it’s OK to attack a fellow citizen and senator
Cicero in the 60s
elected to praetorship in 66, crucial in getting support for Pompey to gain command against Mithridates
wins consulship for 63 (a novus homo)
