maiestas trials Flashcards
(21 cards)
What is tib’s reason for reinstating maiestas?
“the laws must take their course”- tac
tac disagrees and thinks this disingenuous
why does tac spend so long on the maiestas trials?
shows the decline in morals of the republic, erosion of the senate and the laws being used by emperors as a personal vendetta service
captures fear and corruption he wants to capture as tibs. reign as well as the precedent they set for the future and effect of unchecked power on society
what does seneca highlight on the maiestas trials?
culture of suspicion leading to brutality justified on trivial acts
who doccuments the trial of paulus and maro and what does this show?
seneca:
- piss ring
- opportunism of informers
- precariousness of political life
- moral decay of society and decline in roman values
who was most keen for maiestas?
weirdly, not tib - treatment of clemency toward lucius ennius (melt statue) and exiling priscus opposed to death suggests he was indecisive and ambivalent
(tac)
senators more eager, with “overly sycophantic proposals” to exploit law for personal gain
What is the frustration tib has with the senate?
“men fit to be slaves!” he paradoxically is annoyed by their servility and inaction but also doesn’t really want to be contradicted - wants healthy agreement with suggestions that are appealing to him
he was an autocrat who wanted to be head of a democracy in name
What was tib. the enemy of according to tac.?
“tiberius was the enemy of freedom”
consistent with his portrayal of double entendres and incomprehensibility toward senate, but tac does suggest he had moments of clemency and moderation
How is lepidus and trial of sosia contrasted with capito and lucius ennius?
lepidus convinces tib. to give most of sosia’s estate to her children - not the delatores, opposing tib, but doing so that the relationship was unharmed and he continued in favour - brave honesty among spineless
whereas capito challenges tib to make him punish ennius for melting down a statue to make him look like a defender of tib - a “sinister implication”
W/hat do the actions of capito and lepidus represent?
capito: moral decline and self interest
Lepidus: moderation and individualism for the common good - selflessness
Summary of serenus’ trial?
Accused of plotting against tib, senate suggests death but tib opposes to not seem tyrannical
serenus exiled.
(tac)
What did asinius gallus suggest they should do to serenus after conviction?
exile to waterless island;
tib declines since if man granted life, he should be able to live - clemency
(tac)
Why does tac see tib as bad in trial of cornutus?
cornutus commits suicide before trial, senate suggests assets should not go to delatores as such.
tib backs informers cementing reign of terror and perpetuating tell tales and paranoia for reward
What did tib do in trial of cominius?
on trial for writing defamatory poem, forgiven by tib.
tac suprised by this and notes he had capacity for leniency but prefered harsh meeasures
how did tib exercise foresight in rufus’ maiestas trial?
convicted of judicial corruption and exiled - tib specified this had to be on an island for pub. welfare.
when he returns under claud, he became infamous for exploitation - tib was right
(tac)
significance of case of F. catus?
falsely accuses someone of treason but gets off because of past service
tac shows as tib being bent and using past loyalties to justify leniency - inequality and discrimination
What contradictions does tac highlight in the maiestas presentation?
- inconsistent clemency: 1 rule for 1, one for the other
- Blindness to consequences: defends informer system (cornutus) refusing to acknowledge damage system will/has already done
Why does quintus pomponius accuse C.proculus and have his sister outlawed?
Tac. describes him as “neurotic”, acting to secure imp. favour and protect his brother from danger since he was associated with sejanus - this worked since he was out under house arrest and freed and elevated under gaius
why was pompeia macrian exiled?
her mytillinian ancestor, a friend of pompey, was deified posthumously by greek sychpohants and tib saw this as a threat to imperialism (tac)
Why was sextus marius killed by being thrown of the tarpeian rock?
he was wealthiest man in spain and his execution allowed tib to take over his gold and copper mines - extension of principate into private affairs (tac)
seemingly for state benefit, seeped into tib’s pockets
overall portrayal of tib throughout the maiestas trials by tac?
- paranoid and severe
- systematic and brutal
- exploitative of accusations
- motivation by greed
- neglect of justice and government
