Throughout my undergraduate career, I spent every week learning about the history of the ancient Romans. Classical Studies (or ‘Classics’) taught me many amazing facts about this civilization, and while a lot of what I learned is well known by much of the world, there are certain episodes that can only be described as classic (pun absolutely intended).
Episode #1: Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus’s 16 Day Dictatorship (458 BC)
The Roman Senate asking Cincinnatus to be Magister Populi, Source
Pretext: In the age of the Republic, Rome was ruled by two Consuls. They were elected officials who shared imperium (power) over the city, an idea brought about due to the Republicans' desire for imperium to be collegial, annual and accountable. Two officials meant there was a system of checks and balances in place, where each consul could limit the other’s hunger for power through the art of the veto. These officials would rule together for 1 calendar year and were accountable for everything they did, a rule which forced the individuals in the position to seriously consider their choices and actions. In times of extreme crisis, however, a Magister Populi (dictator) was appointed with completed, unaccountable power for up to 6 months.
Story Time: In 458 BC, Rome is in crisis mode. The Aequi, an Italic tribe from the Apennine Mountains, had surrounded and besieged half of the Roman army, along with the consul L. Minyscius Esquilinus Augurinus, and the other half of the army, who were led by consul G. Nautilus Rutilus, were unable to send help. This brought the Roman Senate to Defcon 1 and they decided it was time to nominate a Magister Populi. They asked L. Quinctius Cincinnatus, who had been consul in the year 460 BC and was known as a good and trustworthy individual.
The Senators found Cincinattus on his farm, living a quiet life as a humble man of his crop. They explained the situation to him and asked him to step in as magister populi. Understanding the importance of the situation and his duty to his city, Cincinnatus agreed and returned to Rome, beginning his 6 months term.
At the Battle of Mount Algidus, which took place within two weeks later, Cincinnatus' army quickly besieges the Aequi. Rather than slaughtering them, though, Cincinnatus heard their please for mercy and offered them amnesty. Hooray!
16 days after becoming the most powerful man in the Roman Republic, with the Aequi defeated and both consuls safe and sound, Cincinnatus relinquished his title and imperium (not to mention the remaining five and a half months of unlimited power) to return to his humble life as a farmer.
Episode #2: Publius Claudius Pulcher Ignores the Chickens (249 BC)
Pulcher telling his men to throw the chickens into the sea, Source
Story Time: During the First Punic War (264 to 241 BC) the Roman began fighting at sea. The Battle of Drepana was one such battle wherein the consul Publius Claudius Pulcher was the deciding authority. Before the battle, the crew, along with Pulcher, decided to consult the chickens. The poultry was released from their cages and grain was tossed around the deck, however, they did not peck. The priest who was aboard, who understood the meaning of this outcome, suggested to Pulcher that they postpone the battle. Pulcher’s response to this was to immediately grab the chickens and throw them overboard, crying out, “If they will not eat, then maybe they will drink!”. With this, they proceeded into battle.
That day, 93 of the 120 ships in the Roman fleet were destroyed. It is considered to be the Carthaginians’ greatest naval victory of the whole war. Upon his return to Rome, Pulcher was prosecuted (and acquitted) but also fined heavily for his actions.
Episode #3: Gaius Mucius Scaevola Proves A Point (509 BC)*
Scaevola thrusting his hand into a fire, Source
Pretext: In its earliest years, Rome was a Regnum (kingdom), a political system where the King, a single ruling official, had total and completed imperium over the city. This era of Rome ended in 509 BC when Lucius Tarquinius Superbus was overthrown and expelled from the city. This final king not only began his reign as a tyrant by murdering his father in law, but he also continued his rule in the same fashion. In 509 BC, his son, Sextus, an equally arrogant and violent man, sexually assaulted Lucretia (The wife of Superbus cousin Lucius Junius Brutus). When Superbus refused to punish his son for this terrible act, the nobles overthrew him and expelled him from Rome, thus founding the Res Republica (The Republic).
Story Time: After his expulsion, Superbus found an ally in Lars Porsenna, an Etruscan King who ruled over the city of Clusium. Porsenna agreed to help his fellow Etruscan friend and recover the kingdom for him. As plans were being made to invade Rome, a young Roman by the name of Gaius Mucius Cordo decided to take action by sneaking into Porsenna’s palace (alone) and kill him. What could go wrong?
Quickly after accomplishing the first part of his plan, Cordo was captured and brought before Porsenna. The King of Clusium began to go into detail about Cordo’s fate, explaining how he would begin by cutting off all of the Roman’s fingers and toes when Cordo calmly stuck his right hand into a fire next to him. It is said that Cordo made no sound as his hand was completely burned off. Other stories claim Porsenna threatened to burn Cordo alive for his assassination attempt and Cordo stuck his hand into the fire to prove he did not fear the fire.
After quickly considering what he had just seen, Porsenna freed Cordo and made the decision not to invade Rome after all, for fear that all Roman were of the same caliber as this one. Gaius Mucius Cordo was given the cognomen Scaevola, meaning left-handed, after this and is officially known by historians as Gaius Mucius Scaevola.
* This story, while very cool, is also considered to be mythical by some historians.
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History always has amazing episodes that are long remembered by those who learn them. The stories we learn not only teach us about our past, but also help us to form the future based on the morals we hear. The morals of these stories?
Be humble, and don't take more than you need.
Bravery can be your greatest tool when dealing with an enemy.
Always trust the chickens.
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