Cicero’s aedileship year and 2 activities
69
- Legal Defense of Marcus Fonteius: During his aedileship, Cicero defended Marcus Fonteius, a senator accused of extortion during his governorship in Cisalpine Gaul helped Cicero build a network of support among both the equites and the senatorial class
- Concordia Ordinum: Cicero’s actions during his aedileship reflected his political ideal of concordia ordinum, the agreement between the senatorial and equestrian orders
- pragmatic, calculated
Caesar’s quaestorship year and location
69
Spain
- Service in Spain: Caesar served as quaestor in Hispania Ulterior (Further Spain), where he gained valuable administrative and military experience.
- his first step in the cursus honorum, the sequence of public offices held by aspiring politicians in Rome
Cato as military tribune
- ran for office in 68
- military tribune in Macedon in 67
- famed for eating equal food, work and quarters with men
- led from the front
- loyal legion
Pompey imperium against the pirates year, where why is it needed for him
67
- lex gabinia
- piracy was a significant threat to Rome’s grain supply and trade routes.
- granted Pompey imperium infinitum over the entire Mediterranean and coastal areas up to 50 miles inland. This unprecedented level of authority allowed him to swiftly and effectively eliminate the pirate threat within three months.
- The success of the Lex Gabinia bolstered Pompey’s popularity and demonstrated the effectiveness of granting extraordinary powers to military leaders, setting a precedent for future expansions of power.
lex Manilia granting Pompey imperium against Mithridates year
66
- transferred the command of the war against Mithridates VI of Pontus from Lucullus to Pompey
- gave Pompey control over the Eastern campaigns, further extending his military and political influence.
- By granting Pompey command in the East, the law cemented his position as Rome’s foremost military leader
- continued the trend of concentrating power in the hands of a single individual, contributing to the erosion of traditional Republican checks and balances
Ciceros speech supporting Pompey’s imperium against Mithridates year
- Pro Lege Manilia speech for him in 66
- Cicero gained support of Pompey
Caesar’s aedileship year
65
- Lavish Games and Public Works. These events were not only a means of entertaining the Roman populace but also a way to gain popular support and increase his political influence.
- Debt and Popularity: The lavish expenditure on games put Caesar into significant debt. However, this investment paid off politically, as it helped him gain favor with the people and increased his visibility and popularity in Rome.
- Political Alliances and Influence: Caesar’s aedileship was where he began forming crucial political alliances. His actions during this time helped solidify his position within the populares faction, setting the stage for his future political and military successes.
Cato
- Born in 95 BC into a noble plebeian family
- He was known for his austere and principled lifestyle, reminiscent of his great-grandfather, Cato the Elder.
- served as quaestor, tribune, and praetor
- known for his unwavering commitment to the traditional Roman values and the preservation of the Republic. His stance often put him at odds with more populist figures like Julius Caesar.
- Stoicism: He was known for his integrity and refusal to engage in bribery, a common practice in Roman elections. His Stoic beliefs also influenced his leadership style, as he lived modestly and shared hardships with his soldiers.
- Conflict with Caesar: Cato was a staunch opponent of Julius Caesar, viewing him as a threat to the Republic. He opposed Caesar’s policies and actions, including his quest for power and his role in the First Triumvirate with Pompey and Crassus.
Stoicism
- Zeno philosopher- 3rd century BC
- advocation of knowledge, free-will and moral rectitude
- Cato the Elder- austere
Cato’s quaestorship year
64
- increasingly powerful to voice the opinions of powerful optimates
- Financial Oversight: responsible for overseeing financial matters, including the treasury and public finances. He was known for his meticulous and honest management, which further enhanced his reputation for integrity.
- Conservative Values: Cato used his position to uphold traditional Roman values and the authority of the Senate.
- Political Influence: Although Cato’s quaestorship was just one step in his political career, it laid the groundwork for his future influence in Roman politics. His reputation for honesty and adherence to Stoic values helped him gain respect and credibility among his peers.
Cicero’s consulship year
connections, speech, opposed bill
63
- Used his friend Atticus’s connections with patricians, Used his brother Quintus pamphlet advice to not look populares
- Main tactic to split Catiline from his traditional supporters in the senate: Uses a speech called** in toga candida-** makes him sound like a radical, pins the first Catiline conspiracy on him
- Defends the optimate Piso, meaning he is elected consul in suo anno 63 BC
- As consul in 63 BC, Cicero opposed the Lex Agraria.
Caesar Pontifex maximus year
63
- Caesar had intentions to get out of the shadow of Crassus and Pompey in this year
- In massive debt to finance campaign- All or nothing attitude about this election
- Highest elected religious official
- Served for life
- Watchdog of morality over Roman people and politicians- Unilateral power over fines if someone had violated a religious or cultural custom
lex agraria of Rullus year
populares or optimate? therefore who defended it?
63
- agrarian reform bill aimed at redistributing public land to Roman citizens
-Land Distribution: The bill sought to address the issue of landlessness among Roman citizens by redistributing public lands, particularly in Italy. The aim was to provide land to the urban poor and veterans, addressing social and economic inequalities.
- Decemviri: establishment of a commission of ten men (decemviri) who would have extensive powers to implement the land redistribution. commissioners were to be elected and would hold their positions for five years
- Funding and Authority: decemviri would have the authority to sell other public lands and use the proceeds to fund the redistribution process. They were also empowered to negotiate treaties and manage colonies, giving them considerable political and economic power.
- Opposition by Cicero: As consul in 63 BC, Cicero opposed the Lex Agraria. He criticized it in a series of speeches, arguing that it would concentrate too much power in the hands of the decemviri, undermine the authority of the Senate, and potentially lead to corruption and abuse.
- Political Context: The bill was part of the populares agenda, aiming to gain support from the lower classes. However, it faced resistance from the optimates, who viewed it as a threat to their interests and the traditional power structures of the Republic.
Pro Rabirio year
63
- Trial of Rabirius by Labienus
- Trial dates back to 100 BC
- tribune Saturninius made lots of laws attacking the senate
- senate passes SCU Senatus Consultum Ultimum making it legal to kill Saturninius,
- Rabirius decides to hunt him down and succeeds to kill him- Rabirius seen as a hero
- Old senator Gaius Rabirius prosecuted from a crime 37 years earlier by Titus Labienus- questioned senate’s powers as ‘ultimate decree’- power for martial law
- Wanted to show that Senatus Consultum Ultimum was illegal- Thus show that Pompey’s warfare was illegal
- Judged by Caesar and Caesar’s cousin- before the people, on the Campus Martius- crucifixion awaited him
- Case dropped before verdict passed Because praetor Metellus recalled ancient method of halting legal proceedings- red flag on Janiculum hill lowered so public order stopped
-This was a populist attack on the idea of the ultimate decree
- Cicero successfully defends Pompey
Trial of Murena year
63
- Defenders: Murena was defended by Cicero, current consul, a Crassus.
- Cicero delivered a speech, “Pro Murena,”
- Cicero’s Argument: Cicero argued that Murena’s election should be upheld to maintain stability during Catilinarian Conspiracy. need for experienced leadership to counteract the threat posed by Catiline and his followers.
- Outcome: Murena was acquitted, allowing him to take up the consulship. pragmatic decision by the jury, influenced by Cicero’s rhetoric and the desire to ensure continuity and stability in the Roman government during a period of crisis.
- accused of bribery by cato
Catilinarian conspiracy
63
- To overthrow the consulship of Cicero and Hybrida
- information came from Fulvia, Curios’ mistress
- Curios was a friend of Catiline
- Catiline failed to be elected consul in 64 when Cicero was successful
- fellow conspirators lentulus and cethegus
- Cicero Used intelligence and informants to uncover the plot and Delivered four Catilinarian Orations
- Cat killed in 62 at Roman troops at Pistoria
- Cicero- Catulus hailed him pater patriae- father of the country
The Role of the Allobroges Cataline
- Envoys from the Gallic tribe of the Allobroges were in Rome
- Originally in the city to complain about provincial oppression
- The conspirators approached them to seek military support
- The Allobroges betrayed the plot and gave evidence to Cicero
Catiline Flees Rome
After Cicero’s oration, Catiline fled Rome
Traveled to Etruria to join his armed supporters
Left behind key conspirators to carry out urban violence and arson
3 December 63 BC, 4 December 63 BC, 5 December 63 BC
- Conspirators taken to Cicero’s house, then to Senate in guarded Temple of Concord.
- Cicero showed respect to Lentulus, leading him by hand; others were guarded.
- News of attempts to free Lentulus and Cethegus caused panic.
- increased calls for swift justice
- Julius Caesar suggested life imprisonment; Cato the Younger pushed for execution.
- Cicero supported Cato, leading to Senate voting for execution without trial.
Bona Dea scandal
62
- religious festival held annually in December, dedicated to the goddess Bona Dea, and was exclusively attended by women- men were strictly prohibited from participating or even being present
- held at Caesar’s wife
- Clodius, in love with Caesar’s wife or curious about the rites, disguised himself as a lute girl to attend.
- discovered by Caesar’s mother, caught hiding in a maid’s room- sacrilege.
who took sides Bona Dea
A special investigative board was formed; Clodius and his allies lobbied the Senate.
Cato and Consul Marcus Valerius Messalla supported punitive action; Clodius and Piso opposed it using intimidation.
At trial, Cicero destroyed Clodius’s alibi with Cato’s support.
Clodius avoided conviction through bribery, angering Cato, who called for a bribery investigation. This alienated the equestrians and cost Cato support.
- Political Rivalries: The incident intensified the animosity between Clodius and Cicero, as Cicero had provided evidence against Clodius. This enmity would later have significant political consequences, including Cicero’s exile in 58 BC, orchestrated by Clodius during his tribunate.
The Bona Dea trial
caesars wife, cicero, bribery
- damaged the reputations of Julius Caesar, whose wife Pompeia was implicated.
- Caesar divorce of Pompeia, “Caesar’s wife must be above suspicion.”
- Increased Tensions: acquittal of Clodius, despite clear evidence against him, highlighted the corruption and susceptibility to bribery within the Roman legal system.
- increased tensions between different political factions, particularly between Clodius and Cicero.
- Rise of Clodius: Despite the scandal, Clodius managed to enhance his political career. By being adopted into a plebeian family, with support from Caesar, he was able to become a tribune of the plebs. This position allowed him to pass popular legislation and wield significant influence in Rome.
- Cicero’s involvement came when he provided testimony that contradicted Clodius’s alibi
Cato’s tribuneship year
62
- Motivation: Though an Optimate, Cato sought office due to family tradition, the desire for popular support, and the power of the tribunate (restored by Pompey and Crassus in 70 BC).
- Political Actions: Introduced a law to reduce grain prices and doubled the number of people eligible for the corn dole—balancing Optimate values with support for the urban poor.
Governance Approach**: Proposed the grain law to the Senate before the popular assemblies **to show proper procedure and the Senate’s concern for the poor.
Caesar’s praetorship year
62
- step up on cursus honorum
- Bona Dea scandal- managed to distance himself from the controversy despite being pontifex maximus.
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Politics- Politics of the Late Republic141
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WOTH Iliad Quotes and Summaries all books 1-24108
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OCR Greek Art L6th EoY118
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WOTH Crit 23 2422
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POTLR162
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69-4369
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Parthenon15
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Cato6
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WOTH Aeneid quotes and book summaries89
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POTLR Criticism18
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Cicero's letters36
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In Verrem Context39
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Greek Art vases simple22
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Greek Art Architectural Sculpture simple21
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Greek art context and terminology20
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WOTH terminology12
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U6th books 1-11 women essay21
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Caesar as Popularis and Dictator52
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Cicero and the Res publica15
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CATO- Pompey, Caesar and Cato, and Cato's political relationships32
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POTLR 2160
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WOTH Iliad 2108
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Greek art 2118
