The self-presentation of the triumviral aristocracy
Abstract
This thesis analyses the self-presentation of the Roman aristocracy during the triumviral period.
Aristocratic self-fashioning has been of great interest to scholars studying both the republic and
empire; this study focuses on the transitional period of the civil war and political settlement. The key
features of the approach adopted in this thesis are that it focuses on the individuality of the
aristocrats, rather than political groupings, and considers their self-presentation as an aspect of the
creation of political culture, not merely a response to it. This thesis brings together the evidence for
self-presentation in three media: building, speech, and writing. Chapter one establishes the
foundation for these studies by reconstructing the careers of two aristocrats, C. Asinius Pollio and L.
Munatius Plancus, and analysing the priorities they, and the rest of the triumviral aristocrats,
pursued in their careers. Chapter two analyses the corpus of monumental building by the triumviral
aristocrats, chiefly those who held triumphs, and demonstrates the way in which they used these
structures to advertise their military achievements and their generosity to the Roman people.
Chapters three and four argue that the triumviral aristocrats had more opportunities for oratory
than has traditionally been alleged, and that they exploited these to pursue their political goals. The
talented orators competed with their peers and predecessors in order to establish their fame within
the tradition of Latin oratory. Chapter five analyses the outpouring of autobiographical writing after
the civil wars, as a means by which the aristocrats sought to promote themselves and justify their
careers and actions in the civil wars. The major goal of the triumviral aristocrats in their careers and
their self-presentation was to establish and protect their dignitas (reputation or standing). Through
the examination of the three media we see the various ways they exploited office, honours, and skill
to advertise themselves as traditional republican high-achievers.
Type
Thesis, PhD Doctor of Philosophy
Rights
Embargo Date: 2024-05-30
Embargo Reason: Thesis restricted in accordance with University regulations. Print and electronic copy restricted until 30th May 2024
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