Tacitus, in the opening of the Annals, presents a succinct account of the republic’s evolution, particularly noting how Lucius Brutus “established freedom and the consulship.” This observation by Tacitus not only highlights the political structure of ancient Rome but also suggests a significant relationship between the concepts of liberty (libertas) and the republic. This connection indicates that the essence of the Roman state was intricately linked to the freedom experienced by its citizens.
The inspiration for this collection stems from a conference held at the Pontificia Universidad Católica in Santiago, Chile, in August 2018. The chapters are encapsulated into four thematic categories. The first unit, “Ideas of Libertas,” delves into the diverse definitions and interpretations of liberty throughout the Roman Republic. The second unit, “Libertas and Republican Empire,” examines how libertas articulated the concept of freedom enjoyed by Roman citizens in contrast to non-citizens. The third portion, “Res Publica: Continuity and Change,” evaluates how the meanings of these terms evolved over time, particularly amid the transition from Republic to Empire. Finally, the fourth section, “Oratory, Libertas, and Res Publica,” investigates the implications of these terms in rhetorical contexts and how specific definitions could be strategically utilized for political gain. Collectively, these chapters create a cohesive analysis, occasionally concentrating on one term disproportionately over the other.
An essential query emerges: How did Romans interpret freedom and their political landscape? Tacitus’s brief comment piques curiosity about these concepts’ complexities, leading to centuries of scholarly interest. This dialogue allows for comparative insights between ancient and contemporary societies. Notably, translating the terms as ‘Liberty’ and ‘Republic’ carries contextual weight. The volume contributes to an ongoing academic discourse surrounding the semantic nuances of Roman political terminology. This intricate vocabulary encompasses the various implications of libertas and res publica, enriching our understanding. Rather than perceiving these terms as rigid legal definitions, it’s vital to recognize them as dynamic concepts influenced by shifts in political, military, and societal landscapes over time.
The relational aspect of libertas is emphasized throughout the text. The interaction between libertas and res publica forms a foundational understanding of the political community, highlighting that liberty is essential for legitimizing governance. Non-domination, safeguarded by law, is integral to this fabric of society.
This publication presents three key interventions. Firstly, it examines the interconnectedness of libertas with other social and political dynamics. Secondly, it expands the semantic flexibility of these concepts, as explored by the contributing authors. Thirdly, there’s an exploration of how libertas and res publica interact with additional terms in Roman political language, such as maiestas and auctoritas. While the depth of these interactions remains to be fully examined, the changing application of these terms reflects the varying objectives of different authors throughout history.
The initial chapters target a deeper understanding of the term libertas, moving beyond a simplistic interpretation of non-domination. For instance, Amunátegui investigates the meaning of libertas in the archaic era, discussing the spectrum of servitude to freedom within legal concepts, alongside a political definition tied to the autonomy of citizens. His examination reveals the complexities tied to libertas, particularly regarding individual agency and the paradoxes of power.
Following this line of inquiry, Balmaceda analyzes the emergence of libertas in early Latin literature, elaborating on its multivalence, especially regarding its interaction with other significant values like virtus and pietas. These concepts add layers to the understanding of libertas within the political realm, demonstrating that freedom transcends a binary understanding of freedom versus slavery, taking into account its function as a term with political resonance.
Arena further investigates the link between the deity Liber and the notion of libertas, emphasizing that liberty’s divine aspects extend beyond mere political rights. Citing etymology, rituals, and festivals, she makes a case that liberty is rooted in the realization of one’s essence in society, encompassing both political and communal dimensions.
Flower’s analysis of Cato the Elder’s oration regarding the Rhodians unveils tensions between imperium and libertas, presenting a nuanced perspective that considers the broader implications of imperial power on the freedoms of both Romans and foreigners. Ando expands on this relationship, utilizing the aphorism “ex imperio libertas” to suggest that true freedom is operable only for those who hold authority within the imperium, asserting how Rome’s broader political and structural hierarchies shape perceptions of liberty.
The subsequent chapters delve deeper into the political landscape during times of upheaval. Moatti articulates the challenges of defining res publica, presenting it as a living community marked by debate, conflict, and interaction among citizens, essential for understanding its formalization amidst late republican turmoil. Pina Polo examines the consulship during the second triumvirate, demonstrating the shifting nature of political authority and its effect on the understanding of libertas.
Rosillo-López contributes to this theme by investigating how arbitration functioned as a method for resolving conflicts in a public sphere, further complicating definitions of both res publica and libertas. Hurlet provides insights into the role of auctoritas within the Augustan principate, discussing how these flexible notions contributed to a nuanced understanding of political authority and freedom.
The work culminates in a reflection on shared political language used to delegitimize opposition and reconstruct authority, with Tatum analyzing Cicero’s rhetoric in the Philippics. Van der Blom continues this discourse by critiquing how imagined interpretations of libertas and res publica contrast with the lived realities under imperial governance.
This collection invites ongoing inquiry into the political meanings of these essential terms, with an emphasis on the diverse experiences of Roman citizens, including marginalized groups. There lies potential for research exploring the dimensions of unfreedom and how relationships between the free and enslaved citizens might reflect unique interpretations of liberty.
In sum, the narratives around Roman libertas, both aspirational and illusory, reveal much about the identity constructions of this ancient civilization. Cicero’s assertion that “freedom is the sole preserve of the Roman people” serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities inherent in political discourse, which seeks to both exalt and differentiate Roman identity through the lens of liberty.
