Cicero's Role Models: The Political Strategy of a Newcomer (Oxford Classical Monographs)

This book is about the famous Roman orator and statesman Cicero and his rhetorical and political strategy as a newcomer in Roman republican politics. Henriette van der Blom argues that Cicero advertised himself as a follower of chosen models of behaviour from the past - his role models - and in turn presented himself as a role model to others. This new angle provides fresh insights into the political and literary career of one of the best-known Romans, and into the political discourse of the late Roman Republic. Contents......Page 8 Preface......Page 10 List of abbreviations......Page 13 INTRODUCTION......Page 14 1. Mos, maiores, and historical exempla in Roman culture and society......Page 25 2. Mos, maiores, and historical exempla in Cicero......Page 31 PART I. CICERO THE HOMO NOVUS......Page 40 3. Cicero's background and education......Page 42 4. Nobilis and homo novus......Page 48 PART II. CICERO'S USE OF HISTORICAL EXEMPLA......Page 74 5. Definitions of historical exemplum and personal exemplum......Page 78 6. The nature and functions of historical exempla......Page 86 Creation of historical exempla......Page 90 The choice of historical exempla......Page 95 The problem of credibility......Page 116 The importance of genre......Page 141 Conclusion......Page 157 PART III. CICERO'S ROLE MODELS......Page 162 7. Cicero's alternative claims to ancestry......Page 164 Great Romans as general exempla for all Romans......Page 165 Homines novi as exempla......Page 171 Personal exempla......Page 179 An aspiring new man......Page 188 The homo novus consul......Page 196 Exile and triumphant recall......Page 207 The orator-statesman outside politics......Page 238 In the mould of Scaevola: Cicero in Cilicia......Page 251 The response of an intellectual......Page 254 A living exemplum......Page 278 Conclusion......Page 284 PART IV. CICERO AS EXEMPLUM......Page 300 9. Cicero's roles as an exemplum......Page 306 10. An exemplum and teacher to the younger generation......Page 324 11. A family exemplum......Page 329 Conclusion......Page 334 CONCLUSION......Page 338 Appendix......Page 353 Bibliography......Page 355 Index of passages discussed......Page 386 C......Page 393 H......Page 395 J......Page 396 M......Page 397 P......Page 398 T......Page 399 V......Page 401 A Study Of The Rhetorical And Political Strategy Adopted By The Roman Orator And Statesman Cicero As A Newcomer In Roman Republican Politics. Henriette Van Der Blom Argues That Cicero Advertised Himself As A Follower Of Chosen Models Of Behaviour From The Past - His Role Models - And In Turn Presented Himself As A Role Model To Others. Henriette Van Der Blom. Includes Bibliography And Indexes.