ill at once be evident how much the conception of the nature of Roman politics here expounded owes to the supreme example and gu

elzer’s lucid explanation of the character of Roman society and Roman politics , namely a nexus of personal obligations, is here

or for safety, politicians formed compacts. Amicitia was a weapon of politics , not a sentiment based on congeniality. Individua

tion and engross history, but the most revolutionary changes in Roman politics were the work of families or of a few men. A smal

transformation of the Roman State, the manner and fashion of dynastic politics changes but little; and though noble houses suffe

nobiles his rivals, or grasping personal power under cover of liberal politics . There were two branches of their line, unequal i

er became consul. Its origins lie at the very heart of Roman dynastic politics . The tribune M. Livius Drusus, whose activities d

us Ahenobarbus, the cousin of Catulus, a young man early prominent in politics through the great estates in Italy and the client

bulus, an honest man, a stubborn character, but of no great moment in politics . 3 Roman noble houses, decadent or threatened b

th Lucullus, the Senate’s general. The absent dynast overshadowed the politics of Rome, sending home from the East, as before fr

rassus used his patronage to demonstrate that he was still a force in politics and to embarrass the government without provoki

gry sons of a poor and populous region. Devoted attachment in war and politics to the baronial family of Picenum was the one sur

rebuffed him. Baffling enough after an absence of five years, Roman politics were further complicated by the affair of P. Clod

w, indeed, of the Caesarians or neutrals deserve remark in warfare or politics ever after. As Caesar’s enemies were the party in

5 Though astute and elusive, Caesar yet seemed as consistent in his politics as in his friendships. His earliest ties were not

riately discovered on the side of Caesar. 4 The Marian tradition in politics was carried on by men called populares. Pompeius

ius Crispus, a young man from the Sabine country who had plunged into politics , a tribune conspicuous among the opponents of the

he patricians, Caesar exploited his family and the state religion for politics and for domination, winning the office of pontife

ar invaded Italy he could reckon on something more than aversion from politics and distrust of the government, attested and inte

mers at Rome, with interested motives. A cause of dissension in Roman politics , the agitation spread and involved the allies. Re

They represented, not regions, but a class in society and a party in politics . But even now the work had much farther to go in

herto had produced very few. Cautious or frugal, many knights shunned politics altogether. Sulla had taught them a sharp lesson.

riumph over violence, heroism or principle. The salutary respite from politics and political strife so firmly imposed by the Dic

aculty, for long designs: the earlier months of his guidance of Roman politics do not provide convincing evidence. From his care

ith dismay that a new and incalculable factor had impinged upon Roman politics . NotesPage=>111 1 The situation in Syria i

ll town of Velitrae, had shunned the burdens and the dangers of Roman politics . 1 Ambition broke out in the son, a model of al

on the head of statues of Caesar. Hence a new complication in Roman politics towards the end of July. The recrudescence of pub

ead, namely the respected consular L. Calpurnius Piso. The balance in politics seemed to be turning against Antonius: he would h

hope to influence neutral or Republican elements. The supreme art of politics is patent to rob adversaries of their adherents a

ecognition and betraying his allies. Caesar, more consistent in his politics , had to wait longer for distinction and power. Th

vices. Another eminent Roman could furnish a text in the school of politics . The failure of Cicero as a statesman showed the

age and constancy in all the paths of duplicity. A change of front in politics is not disastrous unless caused by delusion or in

peian elements. Antonius had failed as a non-party statesman in Roman politics ; as a NotesPage=>126 1 Phil. 3, 20 f. Q. F

ippus (cos. 91, censor 86), was an astute politician above, p. 19. In politics the son was able to enjoy support from Pompeius a

ent and calamitous. Piso, however, withdrew more and more from active politics . Yet his repute, or at least his influence, is su

, both during the struggle between Caesar and Pompeius and when Roman politics again appeared to be degenerating into faction st

eart and with no prospect at all of playing a directing part in Roman politics . 2 So he thought then and the month of Septembe

tion that the day of September 2nd would be a turning- point in Roman politics . For the moment, a lull in affairs. Early in Oc

elf with Antonius; 3 in July, Octavianus became a fact and a force in politics . Events were moving swiftly. In his account of

of all the humiliations of the past exile, a fatal miscalculation in politics under the predominance of Pompeius and the compul

hts again: that is to say, behind the scenes private ambition, family politics and high finance were at their old games. Cicero

legality, but in this matter all too perspicacious a judge of men and politics . Civil war was an abomination. Victory could only

the Republic, not constrained by any law of libel, the literature of politics was seldom dreary, hypocritical or edifying. Pers

ss and wicked lie! 1 A few months pass and Dolabella, by changing his politics , betrays his true colours, as detestable as Anton

hich, if it could not deceive the hardened adept at the game of Roman politics , none the less might influence the innocent or th

authentic revelation of what each was worth. The realities of Roman politics were overlaid with a double coating of deceit, de

nd the auctoritas of the Senate: either of them could be exploited in politics , as a source of power or as a plea in justificati

oblest of principles were assiduously enlisted. The art was as old as politics , its exponents required no mentors. The purpose o

ernel of a Roman political faction. Loyalty to the ties of kinship in politics was a supreme obligation, often imposing inexpiab

alerius Messalla Rufus (cos. 53) was still alive, but took no part in politics . PageBook=>164 battle. The remnants of the

ments. In the north winter still held up military operations. At Rome politics lapsed for the rest of the month. But Cicero did

either unreasonable nor contumacious. As justice at Rome derived from politics , with legality a casual or partisan question, he

venturer emerges again, now unexpectedly to dominate the game of high politics . Brutus urged Octavianus to turn south across t

inactive senators or pacific knights, anxiously abstaining from Roman politics . That was no defence. Varro was an old Pompeian

s drawn up, confiscating real property only. 2 Hitherto the game of politics at Rome had been financed by the spoils of the pr

of alliances transformed the visage but not the substance of Roman politics . Octavianus the adventurer, after achieving recog

resign ambition, but lacked a party and devoted legions. His style of politics was passing out of date. Antonius, however, was s

ts. 1 Pollio was not present. If invited, he refused, from disgust of politics . Resentful and suspicious, the dynasts met at T

was about to give birth to another son no obstacle, however, in high politics . The college of pontifices when consulted gave a

ollio ever paid homage, and literature meant more to him than war and politics ; Sosius (who triumphed in 34) constructed a templ

in the pursuits and relationships of private life. The revulsion from politics , marked enough in the generation that had survive

t the doctrines of Epicurus were available, extolling abstention from politics and the cultivation of private virtue; and some b

by an insatiable curiosity, a tireless industry. Long ago he deserted politics , save for a brief interval of loyal service to Po

e works or adapting the themes and forms of the Alexandrine poets. In politics , likewise, a common bond. Many of them had attack

corded. PageBook=>253 abandoned poetry for a career of war and politics , disappearing utterly from historical record to e

tated graces of the Eclogues had already been touched by contemporary politics and quickened to grander themes when the pastoral

rn literature, disdaining the caprice of individual tastes in love or politics , would assert the primacy of common sense and soc

from the coercion of the governing class and the abolition of active politics : their sentiments concerning state and society di

tter of any importance hitherto at least in so far as concerned Roman politics , the rival Caesarian leader or even the parent hi

g men in their own cities and influential outside them. 4 Dominant in politics , commerce and literature, these men formed and pr

. Once again Octavia was thrown forward as a pawn in the game of high politics , to the profit of her brother, whichever way the

s Libo at once became consul (34 B.C.), but seems to have lapsed from politics . The young nobiles M. Aemilius Scaurus, his half-

or. The situation and the phraseology recur in the history of war and politics whenever there is a public opinion worth persuadi

when the entry into office of new consuls last portended a change in politics a whole age seemed to have elapsed, and most of t

n that could recall the misrepresentation and invective of Republican politics to say nothing of the recent ‘constitutional’ cri

uately. Men could see that divorce, like marriage, was an act of high politics . Now came an opportune discovery so opportune tha

st propriety be summoned and conjured to redress the balance of Roman politics and to thwart the popular tribune or military dyn

rty, still less for the fraud that was made to appear above party and politics . The excesses of patriotic idealism and mendaciou

could also fit a political leader—dux partium. But warfare and party politics were deemed to be over and gone. The word had too

rtain rehabilitation of the last generation of the Republic, which in politics is the Age of Pompeius. In his youth Caesar’s hei

t he needed from Cicero he had got long ago, in the War of Mutina. In politics his mentors had been Philippus and Balbus. To ret

an of the time, reared among the hard and palpable realities of Roman politics , could have been deceived. The Princeps speaks of

in size, perhaps some five or six legions in all. Reasons of internal politics thus helped to postpone the final conquest of the

ps, Tiberius and Drusus were pledged to a brilliant career in war and politics , for they were the direct heirs of one branch of

for forms and names. It went beyond the practices of Roman dynastic politics into the realm of pure monarchy; and it might end

ery reverse of exclusive, recalling with pride their alien origin. In politics the Claudii, far from being narrowly traditional,

isted, called into being not by any pre-ordained harmony or theory of politics , but by the history of the Caesarian party and by

e armies as a whole, the individual legionary was to be isolated from politics , divorced from his general and personally attache

axes in the provinces are now let out to tax-farmers. Banished from politics , the knights acquire from the Princeps both usefu

he right kind of senator: equestrian distaste for public life and for politics (the perennial quies) often proved too strong. Th

tter reasons for political advancement in the Principate. The game of politics is played in the same arena as before; the compet

>378 Of the use of the dynastic marriage, Augustus’ own début in politics provided the most flagrant testimony. Betrothed t

onsulate after A.D. 4.2 But Tiberius was not the only force in high politics ; and even if Taurus could not retain under the ne

er the Principate of Augustus, they grow with the passage of dynastic politics into monarchical rule and emerge into open day in

men lacking birth, protection or desperate ambition stood aloof from politics . They could hardly be blamed. The consulate was t

, a rich fund of ability and experience lay idle or was dissipated in politics . The principes of the dying Republic behaved li

ing army and consecrated the removal of the legions from the field of politics . Never again was provision for the soldier at the

e, Taurus perhaps was dead by now; and Maecenas, no longer a power in politics , had a short time to live. But there was a new ge

family of the Princeps. The significance of this fact for the secret politics of the period is evident and enormous. 5 Thus t

, his life precarious. Of that, none could doubt who studied dynastic politics and the working of human character. It took an as

history of the Ahenobarbi may have inculcated a rational distaste for politics and adventure two members of his family perished

g Tiberius, the Claudian party lacked a leader of standing in war and politics . A heavy preponderance of consular nobiles, conso

e. Scarcely less prominent the Valerii, though escaping notice in the politics and the scandals of these years. Messalla still l

pionic ancestry, son of Augustus’ friend Paullus, held aloof from the politics of the Aemilii and the alliance of his ill-starre

re necessary was precept and coercion among nobiles less fortunate in politics and more exposed to temptation than the stepsons

permanence. Matches contracted for the open and avowed ends of money, politics or pleasure were lightly dissolved according to t

mus, in no way the reward of merit, was merely a prize in the game of politics . Augustus scorned to emulate his predecessors C

nam quantum ferro tantum pietate potentes stamus. 5 Though debased by politics , the notion of pietas had not been entirely perve

nt of more remunerative and more modern methods of cultivation. As in politics , so in economic life, there could be no reaction.

the aristocracy guided literature through individual patronage. As in politics , the other classes were susceptible to auctoritas

k of classics for the better sort of contemporary literature. As in politics , the last generation was not rich in models to co

independence from Rome or recent hostility. As far as concerned the politics of Rome, its loyalties were mixed and confused. T

eBook=>470 It is a little surprising that the rich vocabulary of politics was not more frequently drawn upon. Tota Italia w

isions were taken in private and known to few, speculation about high politics ran rife in the clubs and salons of the aristocra

habit to boast openly that he had always followed the better cause in politics . 2 As he had been among the earliest of the nobil

jor scandals, it is true., did not always come before the courts; but politics are probably at the bottom of a number of recorde

to anticipate the future. He did not intend that his retirement from politics should be either inglorious or silent: he introdu

lution, which stripped away shams and revealed the naked realities of politics . It is in no way surprising that Pollio, like Ste

ters. Like Sallustius, too, he turned with distaste from the wars and politics of his time and became a historian. Both writers

ity with the plebs of Rome, L. Domitius Ahenobarbus was formidable in politics from early youth. Like Brutus originally an enemy

e, through subservience or through adulation, with the real forces in politics knights and freedmen, courtiers male and female.

of civic virtue at home and abroad, for it sought to abolish war and politics . There could be no great men any more: the aristo

vail to compensate the cardinal crime of being on the ‘wrong side’ in politics and profiting at the expense of their betters. Th

man historian, Tacitus had to be a Republican: in his life and in his politics he was a monarchist. It was the part of prudence

es gestae or recounted their life, deeds and destiny for glory or for politics : none can have fabricated history with such calm

e among the gods of Rome for his great merits and for reasons of high politics . None the less, it will not help to describe the

mains pontifex maxi-musy 447; death, 469; character, 165 f.; style of politics , 230; use of humanitarian language, 158 ff.; fami

f.; recruiting, 457 f.; specialization in, 355, 395 f.; removed from politics by Augustus, 353; loyal to the dynasty, 476. Ar

tullus, see Valerius. Catulus, see Lutatius. Censorship, in Roman politics , 41, 66; suitable functions of, 444; revived in 2

173, 209, 232, 357, 406, 417, 430, 442, 504. Dio (Cassius), on the politics of 44 B.C., 122; an imitator of Thucydides, 154;

lus, 520. Ennoblement, qualifications for, 374 ff. Epicureanism, in politics , 135 f.; anti-political, 247; out of favour under

. (cos. suff. 2 B.C.), 362. Factio, 12, 22, 157. Factions, in Roman politics , 7 f., 11 ff., 16, 20, &c. see also Feuds. Fa

8, 269, 296, 350. Genealogy, frauds in, 83, 85, 377. Generals, in politics , 15, 158 f., 180; of the Triumvirs, 199 ff.; of O

Knights, status and pursuits of, 13 f.; ideals, 14, 504; averse from politics , 13, 94, 359, 363; control of law courts, 13; ent

, 35 f., 37; death, 38; his character, 22; wealth, 12; a dictum about politics , 12; connexion with the Metelli, 22, 36; with the

), Pompeian partisan from Picenum, 31, 88, 374. Loyalty, need for, in politics , 120, 157; impaired by civil war, 157 f.; see als

d at Pisa, 472. Lucretius Carus, T., 251, 461; quoted to illustrate politics , 513. Lucullus, see Licinius. Ludi Saeculares,

repute and virtues of, 82, 193, 360, 453, 455 f.; brought into Roman politics , 285 f., 359 ff., 364; and military service, 356;

cracy, 452, 458, 501; disguised by the Principate, 351, 358. Poets, politics of, 62 f., 251 ff.; ‘new poets’, 252; and the gov

1. Renegades, 281 f., 349 f., 511 f. Representation, meaning of, in politics , 93, 364; of Italy at Rome, 91, 93, 364 f.; indir

Senate, 66, 248; governs Africa Nova for Caesar, 110 f.; retires from politics , 247 f.; allegations against his character, 250;

f.; his Histories, 484, 5; historical style, 248 f., 485 f.; on Roman politics , 16, 154; on Libertas, 515; on Pompeius, 249; on

5; behaviour in revolutionary wars, 159, 180, 217, 255; divorced from politics , 352 f.; avenue for promotion in the Principate,