2.1 Background to the late republic

• What was a patrician?

  Significant landowners who dominate all aspects of roman life: religious, political, legal and military.
• What is the res publica?

  The Roman Republic
• What does SPQR stand for?

  Senatus Populusque romanus/ the senate and people of Rome
• What was the consul?


  Two people who shared power/ imperium which gave them command in war and the interpretation of the law
• What is imperium?

  Power which gave them command in War and the interpretation of the law
• What is the senate?


  An advisory body to the consuls including magistrates and ex-consuls
• Who was the Quaestor?

  The first rung of the cursus honorum, most junior appointment and they were responsible for the treasury.
• Who was the aedile?

  An optional magistracy, responsible for the provision of games and public services in Rome
• What was the tribal assembly?


  The body of Roman citizens organised into the traditional 35 tribes of Rome
• Who was the censor?


  An official elected for 18 months, responsible for the census and supervising public morality
• What was the centuriate assembly?


  The body of Roman citizens organised unto 193 voting centuries.
• What was the dictator?

  A position of state established in periods of military crisis and awarded to 1 man by the consuls for 6 months only
• Who was the governor?

  A senator selected from those who had previously served as praetors or consuls, responsible for the smooth running, safety and taxation of a Roman province.
• What were nobiles?

  Senatorial families distinguished by the inclusion of a consul in their ancestry
• Who were the opimates?


  A group of aristocratic senatorial families concerned to preserve the political and social status quo
• Who were the boni?

  Men considered to be ideal statesmen as they were well educated, traditional, patriotic and experienced in politics.
• Who were the populares?


  Noble senatorial families that aimed to secure power through appealing to the people
• What was a patron?

  A man of significant social standing able to offer resources (financial, legal or simply food) to his clients in return for loyalty.
• Who were clients?

  Citizens who were bound by loyalty to a wealthy patron to support him in all his public interests (e.g. in elections) in return for support and resources
• What was a novus homo?


  Translates to ‘new man’ and is someone who had not only managed to break into the ranks of the senate but even to become a consul, with no history of the consulship (or in some cases even senatorial rank) in his family lineage.
• How were inter familial ties within amicitia cemented?

  By offering political, legal or financial support to marriages or even the adoption of grown men as heirs
• Why was it common for the upper class to adopt boys?

  To ensure they had a male heir.
• What was the tribal assembly?

  All Roman citizens organised into 35 tribes of Rome and they elected 10 tribunes of the plebs on an annual basis.
• What was the centuriate assembly?

  The body of Roman citizens organised into 193 voting centuries. Every 5 years 2 censors were elected by the centuriate assembly for 18 months. each citizens was allocated to a century depending on wealth and the wealthier you were the less people were in your century and the richest centuries voted first. They elected the roles of consul, praetor and censor.
• What were the political factions of Rome?

  The Opimates/ Boni and Populares
• What could the tribunes of the plebs do?

  Could confirm any resolutions it had passed, their bodies were considered sacrosant so they were safe from personal danger, summon and attend meetings of the senate and could veto any decrees made by the senate and other tribunes.
• What was the purpose of the tribunes of the plebs?

  Their role was to champion and protect the lives and property of the plebeians.
• How were the tribunes of the plebs elected?

  The tribal assembly elected 10 tribunes of the plebs on an annual basis.
• What was patronage?

  An informal system that linked all sections of Roman society through reciprocal loyalty.
• Who was a Patron?

  Supported poorer citizens in return for their public support.
• Who was a client?

  The poorer citizen who was provided financial/legal support or food rations and in return the would be expected to vote for their patron and give them public support.
• What is a novus homo?

  A ‘new man’. Someone who becomes consul from a family with no previous consul or even senatorial experience.
• Give an example of a novus homo?

  Gaius Marius
• What was marius’ reform?


  Abolished property and earth qualifications for the army and professionalise it.
• What does SCU stand for?

  Senatus consultum ultimum
• What type of body was the Senate in theory?

  An advisory body
• What gave senators power?

  Not law but custom, precedent and their prestige
• What intervals were required when holding offices on the cursus honorum?

  Two years between offices and ten years between the same office again
• What were the senatorial class prevented from doing that encouraged them into politics?

  Commercial or business activities
• What is the opposite of amicitia?

  Inimicitia meaning personal hostility