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This book is about the famous Roman orator and statesman Cicero and his rhetorical and political strategy as a newcomer in Roman republican politics. Henriette van der Blom argues that Cicero advertised himself as a follower of chosen models of behaviour from the past - his role models - and in turn presented himself as a role model to others. This new angle provides fresh insights into the political and literary career of one of the best-known Romans, and into the political discourse of the late Roman Republic.
How did Marcus Tullius Cicero utilize historical exempla to navigate the complex social and political hierarchies of the late Roman Republic? Henriette van der Blom, a specialist in Roman history, examines Cicero's strategic self-fashioning as a 'novus homo' or newcomer. By analyzing his speeches, letters, and philosophical treatises, the author argues that Cicero consciously adopted specific historical figures as behavioral templates to legitimize his authority and subsequently positioned himself as a model for future generations of Roman leaders.
What You Will Find
Scope Limits
Scholars recognize this work as a significant contribution to the study of Roman political culture and the mechanics of elite self-promotion. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which is tailored for students and researchers of classical antiquity.
Page Count:
420
Publication Date:
2010-01-01
Publisher:
OUP Oxford
ISBN-10:
0191591521
ISBN-13:
9780191591525
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