At the onset of the Annals, Tacitus delivers a concise overview of the republic, highlighting the upheavals that eventually transitioned Rome into the rule of Augustus: “Libertatem et consulatum Lucius Brutus instituit” (Tacitus Annals 1.1). This mention transcends mere historical context, as Tacitus emphasizes the political structure epitomized by the consulship and the concept of ‘freedom’ experienced by Roman citizens. This analysis suggests that freedom and the republic were intrinsically linked, making the nature of the state dependent on the liberties afforded to its citizens.
This foundational concept serves as the motivation for the assembled essays within this volume, which originated from a conference by the same name at the Pontificia Universidad Católica in Santiago, Chile, in August 2018. The contributions are organized into four thematic sections. The first, “Ideas of Libertas,” delves into the various definitions and interpretations of freedom throughout the Republic. The second section, “Libertas and Republican Empire,” evaluates the sense of ‘freedom’ attributed to Roman citizens in relation to foreigners. The third, “Res Publica: Continuity and Change,” examines the evolving meanings of both terms amidst the turbulent political landscape bridging the Republic and the Empire. Lastly, “Oratory, Libertas, and Res Publica” focuses on the application of these concepts in public discourse and their use as political instruments. While the volume presents a cohesive discussion, certain chapters place greater emphasis on one term over the other, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of the definitions of libertas and res publica and their interplay across the various studies.
In exploring how Romans perceived their freedom and political identity, Tacitus’ succinct portrayal raises complex questions warranting in-depth analysis of the fluidity surrounding these terms. Scholarly interest in comparing ancient concepts of freedom with modern interpretations persists, though such comparative frameworks can sometimes obscure or illuminate understanding, particularly toward the translations of libertas and res publica. Thus, this volume stakes its claim in the academic discourse that scrutinizes the nuanced meanings embedded in Roman political language. The various interpretations highlight that libertas and res publica are not merely legalistic jargon, but dynamic ideas shaped by socio-political and military contexts over the ages.
The relationship between libertas and res publica is central to this discourse, framing the exchange of freedom within the body politic. As both concepts are adaptable, Balmaceda underscores that true libertas is essential for the legitimacy of governance within the res publica, illustrating the principle of non-domination safeguarded by law within a community regardless of its specific political arrangement.
The intervention introduced in this volume is multi-layered. The first, as noted, is the relational aspect of libertas, as influenced by political and societal interactions. The second dimension is the varied perspectives on the semantic breadth of these terms presented by the authors. Lastly, the contributors engage holistically with the meanings of libertas and res publica, interlinking them with other concepts in Roman political lexicon like maiestas and auctoritas. Although exploring all nuances here is challenging, a key takeaway is how the application of these terms can transform based on the authors’ intentions.
Initial chapters are dedicated to redefining libertas, steering away from conventional definitions centered on non-domination. Amunátegui meticulously explores libertas during the archaic era, navigating the nuances between servitude and freedom as understood through citizenship, framing political liberty as an individual’s capacity to live according to their own will. He adeptly argues the juxtaposition of varying concepts of libertas, particularly regarding a citizen’s agency. Continuing this exploration, Balmaceda discusses the prominence of libertas in early Latin literature, emphasizing its multivalent interpretation, while presenting references from Roman comedic writings and Ennius, highlighting the need to consider context. A significant dialogue arises from the interrelations of libertas with values such as virtus and pietas, extending the conception of freedom beyond a dichotomy of slavery and liberation to its role as a significant political term.
Arena makes an intriguing connection between the god Liber and the notion of libertas, underpinning the cultural significance of their relationship. She argues that a divine essence associated with liberty facilitates the fertility of both people and nature, contending that libertas transcends merely civic rights—it embodies an intrinsic quality of societal existence. Freedom is framed as a realization of one’s essence articulated through societal and political practices.
Flower turns to Cato the Elder, assessing his perspectives on the freedom of the Rhodians, illuminating the conflicts between imperium and libertas. Cato’s interpretation of libertas indicates a broader dynamic that embodies the complex interplay of freedom exercised by Rome and perceived by others. Echoing these sentiments, Ando examines Scipio Aemilianus’ aphorism “ex imperio libertas,” suggesting that genuine freedom can only be expressed by magistrates holding imperium, which delineates how Rome’s authority correlates to varying degrees of freedom for both themselves and others.
As the focus shifts in the ensuing chapters, Moatti engages with the concept of res publica, emphasizing the challenges involved in conceptualizing this notion. She articulates the res publica as a vibrant assembly of citizens engaged in debate, interaction, and conflict, providing a vital framework for understanding the transformation during the late Republic. Her examination reveals the contentious dynamics inherent in legitimizing authority within the state—who among citizens is tasked with preserving the res publica or the greater Roman people’s standing?
Pina Polo’s contribution reflects on the consulship during the Second Triumvirate, detailing Lucius Antonius’ tenure in 41 BCE and his challenge against the triumvirs’ supremacy. The outcome of the Perusine War ultimately disrupted the established frameworks surrounding the consulship, though a semblance of institutional order arose as consules suffecti began to proliferate. Rosillo-López further investigates the innovative use of arbitration as a method for addressing public disputes, which showcased evolving understandings of res publica allowing for negotiation among soldiers advocating for their freedom of expression.
Hurlet broadens the conversation regarding auctoritas and libertas, traversing the Augustan principate into the high Empire. Here, auctoritas emerges as a versatile concept critical to understanding relative authority within political realms, intertwining with notions of libertas and res publica to cultivate an imperial freedom framed as a safeguard against tyranny.
Political discourses become battlegrounds for interpretation, as Tatum illustrates through Cicero’s Philippics, where language is strategically employed to distinguish allies from foes. Here, libertas is weaponized to forge narratives that undermine opposition. Van der Blom shifts focus to the roles of libertas, res publica, and free speech in Tacitus’ Dialogus, highlighting discord between historical perceptions of both terms and contemporary political realities, while questioning their evolution under different regimes. The challenge remains: who holds the authority to define these legislative values and to what extent?
Ultimately, this volume opens avenues for further inquiry into the political implications of these terms, advocating for the inclusion of diverse Roman constituents—women, foreigners, and the enslaved—into the discussion of freedom. Future studies might probe the complexities of unfreedom within existing hierarchies and the meanings of freedom in the lives of enslaved individuals, examining linguistic nuances found in classical texts to shed light on these narratives.
Pursuing the myths and misrepresentations about Roman libertas merits further investigation. Reflecting on Cicero’s assertion that ‘other nations can suffer enslavement while the people of Rome alone possess true freedom,’ libertas is recognized as a rhetorical tool wielded to showcase Rome’s supremacy. This interpretation surfaces again through Ando’s insights as well as Cicero’s observations, illustrating how Romans intertwined their concept of imperium with their identity as a free people. In this context, the definitions and implications of libertas are contextually molded in political and social settings, creating a complex landscape of identity where ambiguity coexists.
In summary, this work emphasizes the dynamic interplay within Roman political vocabulary, paving a path for engaging deeper explorations of these vital concepts.
