Idea believed in by Cicero, which promotes the agreement of the orders (the classes) in the Roman state
Cicero wanted the Roman republic to exist using the idea of Concordia Ordinum
The idea of Concordia Ordinum did not exist in Cicero’s lifetime as it had been destroyed by the Gracchi and Sulla’s reaction
Cicero's ideals
Based on conservative nostalgia
Issues arising since Concordia Ordinum disappeared
Creation of professional armies gave power to men like Marius
Pompey went straight to consul and bypassed/undermined the cursus honorum
Dictatorships and civil war dominated the 1st century BC
Social and economic change led to powerful individuals
Cicero believed that Concordia Ordinum should be restored and embedded in the state with the right men at the helm
Cum dignitate otium: 'Leisure with prestige'
Cum dignitate otium
Absolute social, religious, legal, and political status quo, wants everything to be consistent with the elite
Cicero's importance on the right qualities for guiding the Roman state
Duty
Libertas (freedom)
Dignitas (dignity)
Traditional morals
Cicero was not in favor of meritocracy or democracy, he denigrated ordinary people and their ability to govern the state
Cicero published his views in his philosophical treatises on politics and in his letters to Atticus
For Rome to have a successful future
Ensuring the dignitas and power of the upper classes, harmony between the optimates and the equites, placing only the very best, wealthy, most capable men in positions of political, legal, financial, and military power, ensuring peace and justice
