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Livy. The Threat to Rome’s Stability . Grain Famine. Rome frequently faced food shortages Cause of famine (439) was either a bad season or people not attending to their duties Controller of Supplies interrogates the public Poor people begin to drown themselves . Spurius Maelius.
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Livy The Threat to Rome’s Stability
Grain Famine • Rome frequently faced food shortages • Cause of famine (439) was either a bad season or people not attending to their duties • Controller of Supplies interrogates the public • Poor people begin to drown themselves
Spurius Maelius • Roman Plebeian • Bought grain and gave it away for free to poor • Lucius Minucius (Controller of Supplies) • Accuses Maelius of wanting to become king
Cincinnatus • Over 80 years old, assumed the Dictatorship • “Save me! The nobles have united to put me down because I was your friend.” • Gaius Servilius Ahala kills Maelius
Cincinnatus’ Speech • Maelius was justly killed • Summoned to appear and failed to do so • Recalls punishment of decimvirs (rape of Verginia and Appius Claudius) and Romulus • House was destroyed and site left empty as a reminder
Gaius Sempronius • Described by Livy as negligent in his war preparations • Consul who redeems himself by inspiring his men to fight • Later put to trial for campaign and fined when the verdict goes against him
Postumia • Same time Vestal is put on trial for sexual offense • Livy tells us she is innocent • Dressed well and talked freely • Don’t tell jokes; dress like a Vestal
Manlius Marcus • Rome in 386 is under attack from the Gauls • Climb up the Capitoline so quietly the guard does not hear • Geese sacred to Juno awaken Manlius Marcus • He sounds the alarm and saves the day
Rome under attack • Camillus saves Rome twice • Gets title of second Romulus • Why?
Why was Camillus a flawed leader? • Camillus enslaves the citizens of Veii • Takes loot from city • Self-imposed exile • Summoned by Manlius
Rome must prevail • Not enough to have saved Rome, but must also stop migration • “Why did we save Rome from the hands of our enemies if we desert her now?” • “Heaven has given us back our city”
A sense of place • Augury (Romulus & Birds) • days & places for sacrifices • “Men of Rome, would you desert your gods?”
Significant Locations • Can Jupiter be relocated to Veii? • What about Vesta’s fire? • Priest of Jupiter cannot spend one night outside city walls
The Pomerium • Should Rome house the enemy? • Romulus’ hut • Luck of Rome
Conclusion • Return to threat of kings (Spurius Maelius) • Recall of Rome’s augury and sacred spaces • Reminder of duty (pietas)
City is Restored • Oration moves listeners • Work was hurried • Rebuilding is not properly planned