the roman legal and political legacy: t raditions & … · the curule magisrates 2 censors no...

THE ROMAN LEGAL AND POLITICAL LEGACY: T RADITIONS & LESSONS

Kenneth W. Harl, Tulane University The New York Times: Journeys, May 22-June 5, 2017

ROMAN HISTORY, 753 B.C.-476 A.D. 753-509 B.C. Monarchy 509-27 B.C. ROMAN REPUBLIC 509-264 B.C. Early Republic: Constitutional Evolution

Conflict of the Orders Conquest & Unification of Italy Evolution of Citizenship & law

264-133 B.C. Middle Repulbic: Conquest of Mediterranean world

Economic Transformation 133-27 B.C. Late Republic ROMAN REVOLUTION 27 B.C.-476 A.D. ROMAN EMPIRE 27 B.C.-284 A.D. PRINCIPATE Emperor as princeps, “first citizen”

Roman Peace (pax Romana) 284-476 A.D. DOMINATE Emperor as dominus noster, “our lord”

Christianizing of Roman world

L. Tarquinius Superbus (534-510 B.C.) Sex. Tarquinius Superbus. Rape of Lucretia L. Tarquinius Collatinus Sp. Lucretius Tricipinus L. Junius Brutus P. Valerius Publicola Republic (res publica) SPQR = Senatus populusque Romanus 2 consuls, imperium 1 rex sacrorum, auspicium Senate = council of ex-magistrates Curiate Assembly (comitia curiata) Centuriate Assembly (comitia centuriata)

M. Junius Brutus, 54 B.C. Denarius, Cr. 433/1 Obv. Head of Libertas Rev. L. Junius Brutus with lictors & accensus

REVOLUTION OF 509 B.C.: ROMAN REPUBLIC

ROMAN CONSTITUTION 264 B.C. SOCIAL ORDER mos maiorum = ancestral custom patronus, patroni = patron cliens, clients = client ordo, ordines = legal order Twelve Tables, 451-449 B.C. patricians vs. plebians Lex Licinia-Sextia, 367 B.C. imago, imagines = death mask triumphus = triumph ovatio = ovation dux; imperator = commander

STRUCTURE OF POLITICAL ORDER 1. Magistrates & Priests (executive)

2 consuls 4 praetors 8 quaestors 2 censors, every fifth year, 18 months 1 dictator, 6 months (emergency)

2. Senate (council) = ex-magistrates 3. Assembles (comitia = Roman people)

Curiate Assembly (30 curiae) Centuriate Assembly (193 centuries) Tribal Assembly (35 tribes)

Concilium plebis (35 tribes) 10 Tribune of the plebians 6 aediles

THE CURULE MAGISRATES 2 CENSORS no imperium; every 5 years for 18 months M. Porcius Cato, the Elder (234-149 B.C.), censor 180 B.C. DICTATOR 6 months, imperium, 24 lictors (emergency office) L. Quinctius Cininnatus, 458 & 439 B.C. 2 CONSULS imperium, 12 lictors (fasces)

legatus, legati (“lieutenants”) provincia = province; designated command Lex Villa Annalis, 180 B.C.; cursus honorum novus homo = new man Battle of Cannae, August 2, 216 B.C. C. Terentius Varro and L. Aemilius Paullus 6 PRAETORS imperium; 6 lictors

Praetor urbanus & praetor perigrinus 8 QUAESTORS no imperium, financial officials 2 quaestors of aerarium (treasury), Temple of Saturn

THE PLEBIAN MAGISRATES 10 TRIBUNES OF THE PLEBIANS plebians (tribunus plebis) powers: intercessio (“veto power”), coercitio ius provocationis = right of appeal Election by concilium plebis (35 tribes) 4 Aediles, 2 aediles curules (patrician), market wardens & directors of games

THE PRO-MAGISRATES PROROGATIO = prorogation, extension of imperium PROCONSUL or PROPRAETOR within a province “theater of operation” Battle of Arausio, October 6, 105 B.C. Cn Mallius (cos) & Cn. Servilius Caepio (procos) va. Teutones & Cimbri

P. Porcius Laeca Denarius, 110 B.C. Rev. Tribune P. Porcius Laeca (199 B.C.) protecting citizen (ius provocationis)

THE ROMAN SENATE Curia = Senate house, forum Romanum Senate = patres conscripti = ex-magistrates S.C. = senatus consultum = resolution of Senate S.C.U. = senatus consultum ultimum Auctoritas = influence Princeps Senatus = “prince of Senate”

Octavian (Augustus), Denarius, ca. 30-28 B.C. Rev. Senate House (Curia Iulia)

THE ROMAN SENATE

Curia, forum Romanum, restored by Julius Caesar, 48-44 B.C. & Diocletian (284-305)

THE ROMAN SENATE

ROMAN ASSEMBLIES (COMITIA)

CENTURIATE ASSEMBLY 193 centuries organized by property & age in 6 classes, subdivided by iuniores and seniors ELECTION of magistrates with imperium DICTATOR, CONSULS, PRAETORS MAJORIT Y: 97 centuries

CURIATE ASSEMBLY 30 curiae districts

Confirms imperium of magistrates TRIBAL ASSEMBLY 35 Tribes (districts), 4 urban, 31 rural

PASSES LEGISLATION (lex) Election of quaetors, curule aediles Prorogation of magistrates with imperium MAJORITY: 18 Tribes

CONCLIUM PLEBIS Same as tribal assembly, but no patricians

ELECTION of tribunes of plebians PASSES LEGISLATION (plebiscita) Not subject to AUSPICES

ROMAN COURTS (QUAESTIONES)

Lex Calpurnia, 149 B.C. Permanent court (quaetio) at Rome Corruption (de repetundis) Jurors = senators

Lex Acilia, 123 B.C. Transfer of courts to equites (“knights”)

Ordo equester = equestrian order Jurors = equestrians

Lex Appuleia, 103 B.C. Courts try treason (de maiestate) Lex Cornelia, 81 B.C. Return of courts to senators

DICTATOR L. CORNELIUS SULLA Lex Aurelia, 70 B.C. Courts reorganized 1/3 senators, 1/3 equestrians, 1/3

tribuni aerarii) Lex Julia, 59 B.C. Courts reorganized into 50% senators, 50% equestrians

ROMAN CITIZENSHIP (CIVITAS), 226 B.C.

1.  ROMAN CITIZENS (cives Romani)

2. CITIZENS WITHOUT SUFFRAGE (cives sine suffragio) ius provocationis = right of appeal

municipium, plural municipia

3  LATINS (nomen Latinum)

Coloniae (“colonies”)

Rights: commericium, connubium ius migrandi = right of migration

4.  ITALIAN ALLIES (socii) ex formula togatorum

dilectus = draft based on tribal census assiduus = eligible for legionary service proletarius = eligible for velites (light infantry)

ROMAN CITIZENS & ALLIES UNDER ARMS, 225 B.C.

Assidui Total Population ROMAN CITIZENS 350,000 2,00,000

LATINS 117,000 1,000,000 ITALIAN ALLIES 326,000 3,000,000 TOTAL 793,000 6,000,000

ATHENIANS UNDER ARMS, 431 B.C. Army (hoplites & cavalry 30,000 Navy (rowers) 30,000 Total 60,000 275,000 MACEDONIANS UNDER ARM S, 200 B.C. Army 50,000 250,000

MEN UNDER ARMS, SECOND PUNIC WAR, 218-201 B.C. Year Legions Citizens Allies Fleet Total

218 B.C. 6 (6) 27,000 30,600 74,800 132,400 217 B.C. 11 (5) 50,000 56,100 74,800 180,900

11 (2)* 50,000 56,100 74,800 180,900 216 B.C. 17 (6) 82,100 93,900 74,800 250,800

14 (5)** 50,000 56,100 74,800 180,900 215 B.C. 15 (1) 65,000 73,800 73,000 211,800 214 B.C. 20 (5) 75,000 85,000 73,000 233,000 213 B.C. 22 (2) 75,000 85,000 73,000 233,000 212 B.C. 25 (3) 65,000 73,800 73,000 211,800 211 B.C. 25 (2) 75,000 85,000 73,000 233,000 210 B.C. 21 (4) 65,000 73,800 73,000 211,800 209 B.C. 21 (2) 65,000 73,800 78,200 217,000 208 B.C. 21 (0) 60,000 68,000 95,200 223,200 207 B.C. 23 (2) 65,000 73,000 81,600 222,400 206 B.C. 20 (2) 55,000 62,400 40,800 158,800 205 B.C. 18 (0) 50,000 56,100 52,700 158,800 204 B.C. 19 (4) 55,000 62,500 34,000 151,400 203 B.C. 20 (2) 60,000 68,000 54,500 182,400 202 B.C. 16 (0) 50,000 56,000 68,000 174,100 201 B.C. 14 (2) 45,000 51,000 34,000 130,000 *After the Battle of Lake Trasimene; **After the Battle of Cannae

ROME, THE IMPERIAL REPUBLIC

Liburnian Class light Ships

ROMAN REVOLUTION: FAILURE OF REFORM, 133-78 B.C. 200-133 B.C. Conquest of Mediterranean world 133 B.C. Tribunate of Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus

public land (ager publicus) 123-121 B.C. Tribunate of Gaius Sempronius Gracchus

Failure of Reform of State 112-100 B.C. Jugurthine & Cimbric Wars: Gaius Marius reforms army 103-100 B.,C. Collapse of Radical Reform at Rome 91 B.C. Tribunate of M. Livius Drusus, “the Younger” 90-88 B.C. Social War: Revolt of Italian Allies demanding citizenship 88 B.C. March on Rome: L. Cornelius Sulla 84-81 B.C. Roman Civil War 81-78 B.C. Dictatorship of Lucius Cornelius Sulla

L. Cornelius Sulla (138-78 B.C.)

109 B.C. Consul Q. Caecilius Metellus campaigns in Numidia Battle of Muthul River Senate prorogues Caecilius Metellus as proconsul Jugurtha seeks alliance with King Bocchus of Mauretania 108 B.C. Proconsul Caecilius Metellus captures THALA & VAGA Caecilius Metellus fails to capture ZAMA Massacre of Roman garrision of Vaga Trial of L. Turpillius Silvanus: Clash of C. Marius & Metellus C. Marius returns to Rome and elected consul Tribal Assembly gives command of Numidia to C. Marius 107 B.C. Gaius Marius summons volunteers (proletarii) for service Metellus departs for Rome; P. Rutilius Rufus hands over army to Marius C. Marius captures CAPSA: Numidia flees west Marius pacifies Numidia Marius prorogued to command in Numidia 106 B.C. Quaestor L. Cornelius Sulla secures Jugurtha from King Bocchus C. Marius settles Numidia (106-105 B.C.)

C. Marius (157-86 B.C.)

ROMAN REVOLUTION: RISE OF IMPERATORES, 78-27 B.C.

78-70 B.C. Collapse of the Sullan Constitution: Restoration of Republic 70 B.C. Consulship of Pompey (Cn. Pompeius Magnus) & L. Licinius Crassus 59 B.C. First Triumvirate: Pompey, Crassus & C. Julius Caesar control state 56 B.C. Council of Luca: Renewal of First Triumvirate 49-44 B.C. Civil Wars & Dictatorship of C. Julius Caesar 44 B.C. Assassination of Caesar by M. Junius Brutus & C. Cassius Longinus 43 B.C. Second Triumvirate: Mark Antony & Octavian war on Liberators 42-31 B.C. Mark Antony & Octavian partition the Roman world 27 B.C. First Constitutional Settlement of Augustus (Octavian)

BIRTH OF ROMAN PRINCIPATE (ROMAN EMPIRE) 23 B.C. Second Constitutional Settlement of Augustus

RISE OF IMPERATORES, 78-27 B.C.

Pompey the Great (106-48 B.C.) Cn. Pompeius Magnus

M. Tullius Cicero (106-43 B.C.)

THE RISE OF IMPERATORES, 78-27 B.C.

M. Licinius Crassus (112-53 B.C. ) C. Julius Caesar (100-44 B.C. )

ROMAN REVOLUTION: RISE OF IMPERATORES, 78-27 B.C.

78-70 B.C. Collapse of the Sullan Constitution: Restoration of Republic 70 B.C. Consulship of Pompey (Cn. Pompeius Magnus) & L. Licinius Crassus 59 B.C. First Triumvirate: Pompey, Crassus & C. Julius Caesar control state 56 B.C. Council of Luca: Renewal of First Triumvirate 49-44 B.C. Civil Wars & Dictatorship of C. Julius Caesar 44 B.C. Assassination of Caesar by M. Junius Brutus & C. Cassius Longinus 43 B.C. Second Triumvirate: Mark Antony & Octavian war on Liberators 42-31 B.C. Mark Antony & Octavian partition the Roman world 27 B.C. First Constitutional Settlement of Augustus (Octavian)

BIRTH OF ROMAN PRINCIPATE (ROMAN EMPIRE) 23 B.C. Second Constitutional Settlement of Augustus

LAST STAND OF LIBERTY, 44-42 B.C.

M. Antonius = Mark Antony (83-30 B.C.)

C. Julius Caesar Octavianus = Octavian (63 B.C.-14 A.D.)

FIRST CONSTITUTIONAL SETTLEMENT, 27 B.C. 1. Proconsular imperium, later defined as imperium maius

Command of armies and imperial provinces by legates (legati) Consular power with limitations of office

2. Tribunicia Potestas (Tribunician Power) confirmed since 36 B.C.

Annually renewed and counted 3, Title of Augustus voted in thanks: Imperator Caesar Augustus 4. Consecutive consul ordinarius, 27-23 B.C.; resign for consul suffectus

SECOND CONSTITUTIONAL SETTLEMENT, 23 B.C. 1.  Proconsular power imperium maius

2.  Augustus can give colleague proconsular imperium & tribunician power

3.  Occasional consulships thereafter Augustus = princeps, “first citizen,” with auctoritas

THE LEGACY OF THE ROMAN REPUBLIC

Ideal of res publica Lucan = M. Annaeus Lucanus (39-65), Pharsalia, epic poem on civil war Cornelius Tacitus (56-120), historian Annales (Tiberius-Nero) Historiae (Galba-Domitian) Agricola Germania Dialogus Stoic Opposition: P. Clodius Thrasea Paetus (died 66 A.D.) “quod quis fugit damnat.” Emperor as princeps, “first citizen” Story of Hadrian (117-138), reported by L Cassius Dio


Niccolò Machiavelli (1469-1527) The Prince Discourses on Livy Art of War


Thomas Hobbes (1587-1679) Leviathan (1651; revised 1668)


English Civil War (1642-1651) Execution of King Charles I, January 30, 1649


John Locke (1689-1704) Two Treatises of Civil Government


Montesquieu (1689-1759) Charles-Louis de Secondat Baron de La Brède et de Montesquieu De l'esprit des lois (1748) On the Spirit of the Law Separation of Powers Polybius, book 3 Cicero, De Republica


Voltaire (1694-1778) François-Marie Arouet Denis Diderot (1713-1784)


French Revolution (1789-1799) Déclaration des droits de l'homme et du citoyen (Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen)


Execution of King Louis XVI, January 21, 1793


Federalist Papers (1788) 85 articles under pseudonym Publius Publius Valerius Publicola, cos. 508 B.C. Alexander Hamilton (1757-1804) James Madison (1751-1836) John Jay (1745-1829)


American Revolution (1776-1783) Consstitution of United States (1790) President George Washington As L. Quinctius Cincinnatus (ca. 519-430 B.C.)

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