During the last decades of the Roman Republic, a time known as “the age of Cicero,” a man of incredible intellect, integrity, and diplomatic talent emerged upon the political scene. With the support of his brother, Quintus Tullius Cicero, Marcus Tullius Cicero, commonly referred to as Cicero, a lawyer, philosopher, and renowned orator, would achieve political greatness during the Republic’s decline.
Born into the Equestrian social class, one level beneath the Nobiles, the brothers Cicero had much to consider as they planned Cicero’s ascension to Consul. The Republic was in a state of decline and turmoil. A series of social and political changes such as slave revolts, the advent of new social classes and political parties was shaping the political and financial landscape (Yakobson 9). Reformer’s attempts to support the new social and economic realities met with resistance from those who profited from imperial rule (Levack et al 122).
To ensure his brother’s success, Quintus advised Cicero in the Handbook of Electioneering, on how best to achieve his objective. According to Quintus, several elements would be key to Cicero’s success: his abilities to orate and to garner the public’s favor. Said Quintus, as a Novus Homo, a ‘new man’ (Equestrians had only just won the right to run for office), and the first person in his family to seek public office, Cicero’s abilities, as a master orator would “best compensate” for the newness of his name. Moreover, according to Quintus, Cicero’s oration mastery lie in his ability to clearly communicate hope and promise, while offering specifics in his promises, and his ability to exact what he expected in return (Shuckburgh). The second element vital to his success was to win the people’s favor because “voters were not asked to decide between different political programs, they were expected to display loyalty to their patrons,” said Quintus (Yakobson 10).
Quintus coached his brother in the art of political intrigue. In the Handbook, Quintus advised his brother on the importance of bringing the plebeians, the common people, into the fold. And in an ancient effort to “Get Out the Vote”, Quintus told his brother that “the hearty zeal of the young in canvassing for votes, appearing at various places, bringing intelligence, and being in attendance on you in public are surprisingly important as well as credible.” This belief in the power of the youth vote, smacks of President Obama’s strategy and how he successfully employed the grassroots efforts of younger voters to get his message out, and ultimately achieved the highest office in America.
Quintus knew the value of building and nurturing friendships from all classes and social ranks. In the Roman Republic, the Patricians and Nobiles controlled the votes and the money and if Cicero was to be elected, he needed these men on his side. Quintus told his brother, “it is a point in your favor that you should be thought worthy of this position and rank by the very men to whose position and rank you are wishing to attain” (Schuckburgh).
As the Republic’s political landscape was cutthroat at best and murderous on occasion, Quintus told Cicero he should work with other Equestrians and Optimates (the aristocrats) to assure them that they are all working toward the same goals. By gaining the favor of these two groups, Quintus believed these men would contribute to his brother’s political position. And, by showing these men how much he relied upon them, how much he needed them, he would elevate himself in the public’s eye and therefore reduce the risks associated with his quest for the highest political appointment.
Like candidate Barack Obama, Cicero was an unknown entity striving for the highest office in the land and like Obama, Cicero was considered unworthy, “untested,” and an upstart. Historically, those who held office in the Republic came from families of rich political succession. To be a ‘new man’, running for Consul, must have been upsetting and disquieting for those long-established political families, many with their own ambitions. While he was equal to other Equestrians, the stoic businessmen, the tradesmen, and the shopkeepers of the Republic, Quintus advised him to tread lightly, for his fellow party members might feel slighted by his ambition.
To be successful he advised Cicero must not alienate his own party or those of higher status. Like candidate Obama, he must be of the people for the people, while being likeable, approachable, and conciliatory. Most importantly, he must be able to reach across party lines and engage with the Optimates and Populares about the issues and concerns that are important to each. By doing so, he would not be perceived as a threat by any one group.
In conclusion, the mastery of a successful politician: getting along with various classes and political party members, gaining allies, surrounding himself with those loyal to him and those who will support his efforts, will be key to Cicero achieving his goal. By investing himself equally with all classes and parties, by building deep, devoted and trusting relationships with all men, and by gaining favors from those of influence, he will gain the public’s adoration, the public’s trust, and the political clout he needs to gain Consul office.
Work Cited
Levack, Brian, et al. The West: Encounters and Transformations. New York. Longman, 2007.
Shuckburgh, Evelyn, ed. “The Handbook. M. Tullius Cicero, Letters.” Perseus 4.0 Tufts University. 20 Feb. 2009. http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgibin/ptext?lookup=Q.+Cic.+Pet.+1
Yakobson, Alexander. Elections and Electioneering in Rome: A Study in the Political System of the Late Republic. Stuttgart. Franz Steiner Verlag, 1999
Born into the Equestrian social class, one level beneath the Nobiles, the brothers Cicero had much to consider as they planned Cicero’s ascension to Consul. The Republic was in a state of decline and turmoil. A series of social and political changes such as slave revolts, the advent of new social classes and political parties was shaping the political and financial landscape (Yakobson 9). Reformer’s attempts to support the new social and economic realities met with resistance from those who profited from imperial rule (Levack et al 122).
To ensure his brother’s success, Quintus advised Cicero in the Handbook of Electioneering, on how best to achieve his objective. According to Quintus, several elements would be key to Cicero’s success: his abilities to orate and to garner the public’s favor. Said Quintus, as a Novus Homo, a ‘new man’ (Equestrians had only just won the right to run for office), and the first person in his family to seek public office, Cicero’s abilities, as a master orator would “best compensate” for the newness of his name. Moreover, according to Quintus, Cicero’s oration mastery lie in his ability to clearly communicate hope and promise, while offering specifics in his promises, and his ability to exact what he expected in return (Shuckburgh). The second element vital to his success was to win the people’s favor because “voters were not asked to decide between different political programs, they were expected to display loyalty to their patrons,” said Quintus (Yakobson 10).
Quintus coached his brother in the art of political intrigue. In the Handbook, Quintus advised his brother on the importance of bringing the plebeians, the common people, into the fold. And in an ancient effort to “Get Out the Vote”, Quintus told his brother that “the hearty zeal of the young in canvassing for votes, appearing at various places, bringing intelligence, and being in attendance on you in public are surprisingly important as well as credible.” This belief in the power of the youth vote, smacks of President Obama’s strategy and how he successfully employed the grassroots efforts of younger voters to get his message out, and ultimately achieved the highest office in America.
Quintus knew the value of building and nurturing friendships from all classes and social ranks. In the Roman Republic, the Patricians and Nobiles controlled the votes and the money and if Cicero was to be elected, he needed these men on his side. Quintus told his brother, “it is a point in your favor that you should be thought worthy of this position and rank by the very men to whose position and rank you are wishing to attain” (Schuckburgh).
As the Republic’s political landscape was cutthroat at best and murderous on occasion, Quintus told Cicero he should work with other Equestrians and Optimates (the aristocrats) to assure them that they are all working toward the same goals. By gaining the favor of these two groups, Quintus believed these men would contribute to his brother’s political position. And, by showing these men how much he relied upon them, how much he needed them, he would elevate himself in the public’s eye and therefore reduce the risks associated with his quest for the highest political appointment.
Like candidate Barack Obama, Cicero was an unknown entity striving for the highest office in the land and like Obama, Cicero was considered unworthy, “untested,” and an upstart. Historically, those who held office in the Republic came from families of rich political succession. To be a ‘new man’, running for Consul, must have been upsetting and disquieting for those long-established political families, many with their own ambitions. While he was equal to other Equestrians, the stoic businessmen, the tradesmen, and the shopkeepers of the Republic, Quintus advised him to tread lightly, for his fellow party members might feel slighted by his ambition.
To be successful he advised Cicero must not alienate his own party or those of higher status. Like candidate Obama, he must be of the people for the people, while being likeable, approachable, and conciliatory. Most importantly, he must be able to reach across party lines and engage with the Optimates and Populares about the issues and concerns that are important to each. By doing so, he would not be perceived as a threat by any one group.
In conclusion, the mastery of a successful politician: getting along with various classes and political party members, gaining allies, surrounding himself with those loyal to him and those who will support his efforts, will be key to Cicero achieving his goal. By investing himself equally with all classes and parties, by building deep, devoted and trusting relationships with all men, and by gaining favors from those of influence, he will gain the public’s adoration, the public’s trust, and the political clout he needs to gain Consul office.
Work Cited
Levack, Brian, et al. The West: Encounters and Transformations. New York. Longman, 2007.
Shuckburgh, Evelyn, ed. “The Handbook. M. Tullius Cicero, Letters.” Perseus 4.0 Tufts University. 20 Feb. 2009. http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgibin/ptext?lookup=Q.+Cic.+Pet.+1
Yakobson, Alexander. Elections and Electioneering in Rome: A Study in the Political System of the Late Republic. Stuttgart. Franz Steiner Verlag, 1999
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