The extent to which matters of public policy entered into the election of curule magistrates at Rome from 509 to 219 B.C

Abstract

Premises essential for an analysis of the elections are outlined in the initial chapter of the thesis. The validity and shortcomings of the available evidence are briefly discussed. The constitutional development of the magistrates is outlined, showing that the electoral system was not democratic in intention or result, and that the magistrates were generally able to implement their policies. An analysis of the social and political background of the members of the governing class suggests that senators' family loyalties were significant in dictating their political attitudes and allegiances, and that their position at the top of a hierarchical structure of personal patronage was the basis of their political control in both the senate and assemblies. All these factors are then considered together in a general discussion of the extent and nature of the control of legislative and electoral voting in the assemblies by political factions of senators.In the light of conclusions drawn on these matters, the elections of the curule magistrates in the period 509 to 219 B.C. are analysed year by year in the remaining chapters of the thesis. The names of the successful candidates are considered in relation to the political issues which are likely to have been of concern at the time of their elections. Factors taken into account in this process are, on the one hand, the magistrates' personal background, likely associates and activities in office, which may all contribute to forming a pictureof their attitudes and likely support bases, and, on the other, external circumstances, the magistrates' personal qualifications and the relative authority of other senators which might render the magistrates' political views irrelevant to their elections. The overall conclusion drawn at the end of the survey is that matters of public policy, especially military matters, may often have been of prime importance in the initial stages of the elections, when the senators were forming political factions, but less frequently played any direct part in dictating the votes cast in the assemblies.