Рим и Римский мир

The historical examples (exempla) are used very widely in quite different genres of Roman literature, including speeches. The focus of research is usually on Roman examples, whereas external historical examples are not yet sufficiently have found it examined. The aim of this essay is to deal with the cases of the use of so-called "external" historical examples in the judicial and political speeches of Cicero and to determine their functions.

The article discusses a number of issues related to the Parthian campaign of M. Licinius Crassus. An attempt was made to show that Crassus, on the whole, was quite competent in directing the actions of his army, and he did not immediately lose his leadership. His main mistake was common to the Romans, who underestimated the capabilities of horse archers. It was the brilliantly realized combined use of horse archers and heavy cavalry that ensured the Parthians victory at Carrah. However, the significance of this victory should not be overestimated.

The paper examines the portrayal of Catiline in the Aeneid. For Virgil, Catiline is obviously a villain and a symbol of civil strife. This attitude however doesn't extend to other members of the gens Sergia since their legendary ancestor Sergestus in spite of his somewhat questionable behaviour during the funerary ship race, is still depicted as one of Aeneas' main and most loyal companions.

The article is devoted to some episodes of Sulla’s rule, namely the beginning of proscriptions, his triumph over Mithridates VI Eupator, alleged Sulla’s self-representation as second Romulus and the criticism of the dictator by Cicero in his speech for Roscius Amerinus. The author focuses on to the adoption of lex Cornelia de proscriptione by comitia without its approval by Senate.

The article examines information from sources about the biography of M. Salvius Otho before he entered the struggle for power. His origin and family ties are traced, it is shown that his family, which was not distinguished by nobility, rose thanks to the patronage of Livia, Tiberius, and then Claudius. Otho himself, in his youth, was a participant in Nero’s entertainment, which later gave rise to stories about his dissolute behavior.

Following the battle at Philippi (October 42 BC) triumvir Mark An­tony in 41 BC toured the eastern provinces of the Roman Republic. During this trip he restored the authority of Rome, levied contributions upon the cities, and appointed kings and rulers. In Ephesus Anthony was persuaded to grant broad privileges and immunities to 'the worldwide association of victors in the festival games', as evidenced by the letter of Antony to the Κοινόν τῶν άπό τῆς Ἀσίας Ἑλλή­νων on the rights of the συνόδου τῶν ἀπὸ τῆς οἰκουμένης ἱερονικῶν καὶ στεφανιτῶν.

The article is devoted to the events of the 70s of the 5th cen­tu­ry AD, associated with the activities of the representative of the military and sena­torial aristocracy of the Western Roman Empire, Flavius Theodovius Valila. The texts and translations of the sources mentioning him are given, their evidence is considered in the context of the events of the epoch.

The article examines the last period of the biography of Sextus Pompey. Modern researchers estimate his activity in the last months of his life as an insignificant episode in the general course of events. But any minor episode can easily become an important event in the circumstances of the Civil War. Although Sextus Pompey did not have clear plans to seize power, he was a figure capable of uniting the remnants of the Republicans around him and that is why he was a hindrance for both Octavian and Antony.

The article examines the influence of Cicero’s second “Philippic” on the formation of the image of Mark Antony in the writings of ancient authors, primarily Plutarch. On the one hand, Cicero’s pamphlet provided rich material for the characterization of Antony’s personal qualities, which was widely used in the later sources.

The article is devoted to the analysis of the term “manubiae” in the context of the construction activity of magistrates in ancient Rome. The author's arguments show that neither ancient sources nor historiography can resolve the dispute about war booty and manubial construction.