Technical terms - Cicero + Res Publica Flashcards
Bona Dea scandal
- Bona Dea (“the good goddess”) was a Roman goddess associated with chastity and fertility.
- There was an annual festival for respectable women to honour her.
- Clodius was charged with sneaking into these in 62BC, dressed as a woman with the aim off seducing the hostess (Julius Caesar’s wife).
- Cicero, whose wife Terentia had hosted the previous year’s rites, was a witness to prosecute.
concordia ordinum
- “The agreement of orders”
- an idealistic view for how the social ranks of Ancient Rome would all thrive by keeping their traditional roles with the senatorial and equestrian classes ruling the state.
cum dignitate otium
- “leisure with prestige”
- a term coined by Cicero to mean a status quo of all affairs in Rome. This includes politics, law, religion and society.
Democracy
A government run by the people; often expressed through voting.
Dignitas
Prestige gained by a Roman through political, military or social achievement.
Libertas
Political freedom of citizens.
Meritocracy
A government where those who are in charge have deserved their position through achievements.
parens patriae
- “parent of the fatherland”
- what Cato called Cicero after rescuing Rome from the Catiline conspiracy.
Philippics
The 14 speeches Cicero wrote from 44-43 BC attacking Mark Antony; names after Demosthenes’ Philippic against Philip II
pro lege Manilia
Speech by Cicero in 66BC urging Pompey to be names dictator to sort out the Mithridatic Wars. Gained Cicero support in becoming consul.
senatus consult ultimum
- (SCU) “The Final Senate Decree”
- called by Senate in time of crisis to suspend the usual restrictions on consul power
- allows consuls to do what is necessary to protect Rome
- called by Cicero in handling Cataline conspiracy.
“three-headed monster”
Term coined by Varro, a Roman satirist, to describe the first triumvirate of Caesar, Crassus and Pompey.
Oligarchy
Government by a small group of people.
