Myths and the Early Roman
Republic
Wiseman Ch. 4
Liber and the Free Republic
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In Roman Calendar the Liberalia (festival in honour of Liber (also Pater
Liber) = Dionysos) Mar. 17 in Roman calendar following the festival
Regifugium – fugere=to flee (kingsflight) Feb 24
Liber =Latin for free
Cult instituted soon after the expulsion of the last king, Tarquinius
Superbus
Liber - god of intoxication, ecstacy, freedom from social inhibitions, wine,
viticulture, sex, orgiastic rituals, fertility.
In archaic Rome cult was very popular became less acceptable in 2nd
century BC Rome – by then considered un-Roman (keep this in mind)
Later festival of Anna Perenna added, goddess of the year on Mar. 15 the
day that magistrates entered office in the Republic (in 4th century)
Dates as start of civic year signify importance of Liber
Triad of Ceres, Liber, Libera – message: bread and wine, liberty and law
Ceres and Libera = Greek Demeter and Persephone goddesses who gave
laws to men
After the expulsion of the last king
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Historically unlikely that Republican system was immediately instituted
Tarquin tried for 10 years to return
Eventually Romans engaged in battle against Latin alliance at Lake Regillus.
Close battle with Romans eventually victorious; believed to have won with
divine help (Castor and Pollux the divine twins – temple built to them)
War historical – reported by Greek historians who had interest in affair since
Tarquin died at court of Aristodemos soon after battle at Lake Regillus.
Followed by conquest of Veii (Etruria); in 387 Rome sacked by Gauls
Century between conquest of Veii and sack by Gauls – no information
Dark ages: economic decline, struggles between rich and poor – called by
later Roman tradition – struggle of the orders.
Period in which Roman Republic developed
By end of 4th century - Rome’s military expansion into an empire began
The struggle of the orders
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For over 200 years struggle of orders between patricians
(dominant land-owning families dating back to regal
period and everyone else (plebeians)
Patricians – patres (fathers) followers/advisors of the
kings
Early Republic: patricians held monopoly of military
commands, religious and political institutions and law
Exploitation and abuse of non-patrician population who
demanded equality
Concessions: codification and publication of laws: Laws
of the XII Tables c. 450 BC; plebeian assembly
(plebiscita 339 BC) and plebeian magistrates; one of two
consuls plebeian (366 BC); end of debt bondage 326 or
313 BC;
Marsyas and the struggle of the
orders
Marsyas, servant of Liber, pipe player. Lost
musical competition against Apollo who hung
him up on tree and flayed him, freed by Liber,
ended up in Italy, founded Marsian people,
master of augury,
 Gave name to Pleibeian family of Marcii wellknown for seers
 Symbolic for plebeians being freed from debt
bondage: the statue of Marsyas unshackled but
still irons around ankles set up in plebeian
Comitium (assembly) see page 69 for image
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Athens as inspiration
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Athens served as example of inspiration for Romans
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“ And you have never considered what manner of men
are these Athenians with whom you will have to fight,
and how utterly unlike yourselves. They are
revolutionary, equally quick in the conception and in the
execution of every new plan; while you are conservative-careful only to keep what you have, originating nothing,
and not acting even when action is most urgent. They
are bold beyond their strength; they run risks which
prudence would condemn; and in the midst of
misfortune they are full of hope” (Thucydides 1.70.)
Athenian Imperialism
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We cannot cut down an empire as we
might a household; but having once
gained our present position, we must,
while keeping a firm hold upon some,
contrive occasion against others; for if we
are not rulers we shall be subjects.
(Thucydides 6.18.)
Athenian parallels
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Romans expelled Tarquins in 508/7 BC just after the Athenians
expelled the last of the Peisistratids, the tyrant Hippias 511/510 BC
Roman: Voice in woods of Faunus or Silvanus;
Athens: Pan told Athenians he would be on their side at Marathon
Lars Porsena marches on Rome to reinstate Tarquin; Kleomenos of
Sparta marched on Athens to reinstate Hippias
Marcius Coriolanus, exiled by Romans, threatened Rome in 448 –
(warlord), Athenian Themistokles, popular and successful Athenian
general exiled by ungrateful people
Romans borrowed these motifs from Athenian examples to make
sense of Roman stories.