Rome's Public Affairs Flashcards
Lapis Niger
Called the “black stone”; emerged in archaeology, refers to a king
Rex
Latin for king
Imperium
having authority/absolute power, called the shots
Previous monarchs’ roles
Chief judge, general, priest; no distinction between church and state, or civilian and military
Res Publica
“in the public interest”; people overthrew kings through a revolution and established this system of government
Rewards of a citizen
Requirement: males
Hold office, vote, have libertas
Libertas
liberty; citizens would be treated equally before the law
Pomerium
Boundary separating political activity area
Cannot bear arms
Can vote here in person
Mos maiorum
“custom of ancestors”; no written constitution, so they followed the traditional way of doing things
Struggle of the Orders
division of the citizens into Patricians and Plebeians
Secession of the Plagues
Plebeians say they will leave the state –> Patricians recognize the Plebs and create the Concilium Plebis
Tribune of the plebs
Ten leaders of the Concilium Plebis
Military Tribune
Negotiation during the Struggle of Orders; between 2 Patrician consuls or 3 military tribunes for either Patrician/Plebeian
Consuls
2 joint head of state
Imperium
Accompanied by lictors with fasces outside the Pomerium
Intercessio
If one consul dies…
suffect replaces until the end of the year
If two consuls die
interrex holds elections within 5 days
Intercession
Consuls can intercede and veto the other consul since they do not need to act as a unit.
Praetor
6, Serve judges in Rome; imperium, 4 would help supervise four providences, 2 would serve the judges
Difference between consuls and praetors
Could only exercise imperium in the sphere he had been assigned; praetor could not veto consul
Censors
2, at least one plebeian
In practice, only consuls
Jobs: take census (determine membership by wealth), put mark (nota) on behavior, draw up list of senators
Curule Aediles
2, oversee markets, entertainments; maintain public buildings
Quaestors
10, assistants to consuls; help supervise financial interests or provinces
Aediles of the plebs
when tribunes were the leaders of the plebs; responsibilities expanded to become Curule Aediles
Tribunes of the plebs
10
Sacrosanctitas - cannot touch them
Coercitio - have right to compel Roman citizen to obey their orders
Auxilium - can protect plebeian against harsh treatment from patricians
Presided over con cilium plebis –> laws passed called plebiscite
Intercession - veto action of any magistrate
Iustitium - can suspend state businesses until they considered a law
Dictator
appointed in times of stress/crisis
Appoints Magister Equity
Magister Equitum
appointed by Dictator
Imperium, ranked equal to praetor
Curia
principle place for groups to meet (i.e. Forum for Senate)
Cursus honorum
course of progress of honors
Requirements: male, respectable, army service, $$ (expensive)
Quaestorship (regarding cursus honorum)
10
Requirements: 30 years old
At the next census (5 years), censors will make you a senator (can be senator for life, or go to next level)
Praetor (regarding cursus honorum)
Had to be praetor after quaestorship if wanted to go to next level (more competition since there are 6 instead of 10)
Aediles (regarding cursus honorum)
Put on good show so that everyone will remember you when you campaign to be praetor (2 aediles for patricians)
Typically, 10 Tribune of the plebs try to get this office
Consul (regarding cursus honorum)
What everyone wants; must be 42 years, must have been praetor and quester
How many years until reviewed?
5 years
How many senators?
300
Role of senate
Advisory counsel of king/consul; only meets for issue that magistrates must summon
Speak in rank order; magistrate chooses what proposals
Princeps senatus
1 of Senate
Senatus Consultum
What is decided by the vote in Senate
Auctoritas
What Senate has; informal authority and influence (in finance and foreign affairs)
Contio
informal assembly where magistrate explains proposal to the citizens
Lex
Law - once assemblies vote (after Senate)
Comity centuriata
voting when unit is by century (100); mainly for military
SPQR
Senatus Populusque Romanus, “Senate and People of Rome”
Importance of military accomplishments in getting elected, toga
Election only a few weeks; wear toga to show scars on front
Requirements of magistrates
citizen, army, money
amici (amicus)/amicitia
friend, associates when running
Two things not to do in Roman election:
join political party, issue manifesto
How to stand out in Roman election
Military service
Refer to family
Patronus/cliens relationship (hereditary)
Novus Homo
first member in family to try to be in a certain level of leadership
Nobilis
from a high class family where there has been a consul
suo anno
“in his year,” best to be elected “sup anno,” when he is 42.
imago
wax face mask, reason someone might want to run
Triumph
procession in Rome where you and army come through the streets of the city to thank God Jupiter on capital
Ovation
mini procession, not quite as great victory; triumph = better
Why people would even run
Nothing else to do Mos Maiorum (if father does something, I should too) Auctoritas Dignitas Imago - family pride Might get share in loot Laus (praise), gloria (glory) Hopes for priesthood
Togato Barberini
person in distinct toga, marble sculpture of full boy
