Talking politics : constructing the res publica after Caesarâs assassination
The nature of the Republican constitution has been much contested by scholars studying the history of the Roman Republic. In considering the problems of the late Republic, the nature of the constitution is an important question, for if we do not understand what the constitution was, how can we explain Romeâs transition from âRepublicâ to âEmpireâ? Such a question is particularly pertinent when looking at events at Rome following the assassination of Caesar, as we try to understand why it was that the Republic, as we understand it as a polity without a sole ruler, was not restored. This thesis examines the Roman understanding of the constitution in the aftermath of Caesarâs death and argues that for the Romans the constitution was a contested entity, its proper nature debated and fought over, and that this contest led to conflict on the political stage, becoming a key factor in the failure to restore the Republic and the establishment of the Second Triumvirate. The thesis proposes a new methodology for the examination of the constitution, employing modern critical theories of discourse and the formation of knowledge to establish and analyse the Roman constitution as a discursive entity: interpreted,
Swithinbank, Hannah J.
Politics ; Political thought ; Cicero ; Sallust ; Critical theory ; Constitutionalism ; Classics ; Ancient History ; Roman Republic ; 1st Century B.C. ; Caesar ; Octavian ; JC88.S85 ; Rome--Politics and government--265-30 B.C. ; Rome--History--Republic, 265-30 B.C. ; Rome--Constitutional law ; Constitutional history--Rome ; Constitutional law--Rome
Talking politics : constructing the res publica after Caesarâs assassination. The nature of the Republican constitution has been much contested by scholars studying the history of the Roman Republic. In considering the problems of the late Republic, the nature of the constitution is an important question, for if we do not understand what the constitution was, how can we explain Romeâs transition from âRepublicâ to âEmpireâ? Such a question is particularly pertinent when looking at events at Rome following the assassination of Caesar, as we try to understand why it was that the Republic, as we understand it as a polity without a sole ruler, was not restored. This thesis examines the Roman understanding of the constitution in the aftermath of Caesarâs death and argues that for the Romans the constitution was a contested entity, its proper nature debated and fought over, and that this contest led to conflict on the political stage, becoming a key factor in the failure to restore the Republic and the establishment of the Second Triumvirate. The thesis proposes a new methodology for the examination of the constitution, employing modern critical theories of discourse and the formation of knowledge to establish and analyse the Roman constitution as a discursive entity: interpreted,
talking politics constructing caesar assassination nature republican constitution much contest scholar study history roman_republic consider problem late_republic nature constitution important_question constitution explain rome transition republic empire question particularly pertinent look event rome follow assassination caesar try republic polity without sole ruler restore examines roman constitution aftermath caesar death argues romans constitution contest entity proper nature debate fought contest lead conflict political stage become key_factor failure restore republic establishment second propose_new examination constitution employ modern critical_theory discourse formation knowledge establish analyse roman constitution discursive entity interpret