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Roman History or Culture- Passage Two
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Roman History or Culture- Passage Two
Passage 2
The passage is from the work of the greatest Greek historian named Polybius. Polybius came
from Megalopolis in the Peloponnese. He wrote the History of the rise of Rome. Polybius wrote
the passage in the second century BC. During his lifetime, Polybius witnessed the world turning
upside down. The work was named "and Consul" by Polybius when describing the mutual
relationship between the Consul, Senate, and the people.
In this case, Polybius was explaining the innovation in the Roman Government. Polybius
identified three major institutions that constitute the Roman Government: the Senate, the consuls,
and the popular assemblies. According to Polybius, each institution embodied one among the
three orders of the Roman Government. In the passage, Polybius indicates that two Consuls
represented the Monarchy. The Consuls had bestowed powers to command the Roman army. The
consuls also presided over the Roman Popular assembly and the Senate. The Senate filled the
role of the aristocracy, an advisory council for the ex-magistrates who were life members.
The passage is significant for our understanding of Roman culture and History. It helps us
understand that by that time, the courts were presided over by the Senate. The Senate had powers
over the Roman tax revenues, and it the one that availed the main arena for political debates in
Rome. Moreover, his work is of significance to gain a proper understanding of Roman culture.
From his work, it is clear that the popular assembly was a representation of democracy. Popular
assembly is the one that had the sole power to elect the magistrates, make sure that legislation
passed and reject or ratify the foreign policy treaties.
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This passage plays a significant role in shaping the Roman culture and History as it helps
understanding how the people are dependent on the Senate and the Consul. Additionally, it helps
to understand the extent and how the powers of the Senate grew strong and how these powers
impacted Roman society. In Roman society, the Senate passed the most important laws, collected
taxes and administered most of the state's policies. The majority of the people making up the
Senate were either patrician, the leading families or came from the rich landowner class. The
highest position in the Roman Republic was held by the Council (Mellor, 2012). Therefore, as
the powerful bodies, the Roman People and society depended on the Senate to serve as a
legislative body, ultimate respiratory for the Rome executive powers, and serve as King
Councils. The Senate had ultimate power over public revenues derived from provinces and
guided on the public expenditures. The Senate also claimed to have the authority to give
possession and declare public lands alienable. Every aspect of state finance was thus under its
authority; it oversaw income and expenses and the treasury. And for these reasons, the Rome
people found it hard to resists any wishes made by the Consuls and the Senate. Any rash
resistance would have made one or all become ultimate subject to their powers and authorities
(Mellor, 2012).
As time passed, the Senate power grew strong and extended above its ancient
prerogatives. The Rome Senate had become a self-sustaining, spontaneously constituted entity,
autonomous of the periodic magistrates, and a well-known institution in Roman society, its
constitution with strong powers. Therefore, the results of these powers either lead to mutual
benefit or harm to society. The Senate had increasingly gained greater effective control by
adhering to certain unwritten laws governing the relationship between magistrate and Senate.
Senate had become Rome's most powerful governing body, offering guidance on domestic and
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international policy, law, and economic and religious matters. (Ayers & Mellor, 2004). The
Senate gained exclusive authority to allocate roles to magistrates and evaluate the regions
entrusted to the Consul and extend the magistrate term in office.
Moreover, the same had the gain authority to elect senatorial commissions tasked with
assisting the magistrates in organizing conquered territory. Even though the official declaration
of military war and approval of treaties or agreements were directed to the Rome people, its
previous dominance on foreign affairs turned into a solid claim to handle all discussions with a
foreign power. It was frequently called upon to function as a mediator during disputes between
Italian communities, client-states or provincials (Adkins & Adkins, 2014).
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References
Adkins, L., & Adkins, R. A. (2014). Handbook to life in ancient Rome. Infobase publishing.
Ayers, J. B., & Mellor, R. (2004). The Historians of Ancient Rome: An Anthology of the Major
Writings.
Mellor, R. (2012). The historians of Ancient Rome: an anthology of the major writings.
Routledge.
