Pompey, Cato, and the governance of the Roman Empire

Provincial governance under the Roman republic has long been notorious for its corrupt officials and greedy tax-farmers, though this is far from being the whole story. This book challenges the traditional picture, contending that leading late republican citizens were more concerned about the problems of their empire than is generally recognized, and took effective steps to address them. Attempts to improve provincial governance over the period 70-50 BC are examined in depth, with a particular focus on the contributions of Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus (Pompey) and the younger Marcus Porcius Cato. These efforts ranged well beyond the sanctions of the extortion law, encompassing show trials and model governors, and drawing on principles of moral philosophy. In 52-50 BC they culminated in a coordinated reform programme which combined far-sighted administrative change with a concerted attempt to transform the ethos of provincial governance: the union of what Cicero called 'Cato's policy' of ethical governance with Pompey's lex de provinciis, a law which transformed the very nature of provincial command. Though more familiar as political opponents, Pompey and Cato were united in their interest in good governance and were capable of working alongside each other to effect positive change. This book demonstrates that it was their eventual collaboration, in the late 50s BC, that produced the republic's most significant programme of provincial reform. In the process, it offers a new perspective on these two key figures as well as an enriched understanding of provincial governance in the late Roman republic. Cover Pompey, Cato, and the Governance of the Roman Empire Copyright Preface Contents List of abbreviations Note on the texts Introduction Pompey, Cato, and provincial reform What was Good Government? Philosophy and Roman imperialism Provincial Reform Before 70 Sources and Scholarship Overview 1: Pompey and the reforms of 70 Pompey ́s programme Pompey, Cicero, and the prosecution of Verres The Verrines and the courts Verres ́ trial and judicial reform The censorship Verres ́ show trial Exempla in the Verrines Pompey ́s refusal of a province Pompey ́s programme and the tribunes of 67 2: Pompey in the east Pro Lege Manilia The pirate war The settlement of the pirates The Mithridatic war Pompey ́s virtues Pompey ́s triumph Profits of empire Pompey and the publicani Pompey ́s personal profits Pompey and philosophy Pompey ́s patria Conclusions 3: Cato, Stoicism, and the provinces Stoicism and just empire Cato the practising Stoic Cato in his own words Distinctively Stoic elements Cato in Cyprus The Cyprus mission as exemplum Cato ́s friends, Ptolemy, and corruption Conclusions 4: The last lex repetundarum The development of the lex repetundarum The lex Julia de pecuniis repetundis The lex Julia and maiestas Capital penalties A perfect law? The political and policy context of the lex Julia Pompey and the trials of 59 Cato and the lex Julia Conclusions 5: The equites and the extortion law The trial of Rabirius Postumus The date of Pompey ́s relatio The date of Rabirius ́ trial Cato and the trial of Rabirius Postumus Conclusions 6: Metus Parthicus Disowning Crassus ́ campaign Pompey and Parthia C. Cassius in Syria The Parthian threat, 51-50 Bibulus in Syria Bibulus ́ supplicatio The senatus consultum de provinciis of 53 7: The lex Pompeia de provinciis Pompey and Cato in 52 Pompey, Cato, and the politics of Milo ́s trial Cato ́s consular campaign Pompey ́s legislation The lex Pompeia de provinciis The interval under the law The senate ́s control over provincial appointments The duration of commands Sortition The appointments for 51 8: Cato ́s policy Cato ́s policy in practice, 51-50 Cicero in Cilicia Bibulus in Syria Thermus in Asia The other governors Setting an example Stoic maiestas and true glory The utilitas of glory Conclusions Conclusion Bibliography Index of quoted passages General index Leading Romans in the late republic were more concerned about the problems of their empire than is generally recognized. This book challenges the traditional picture by exploring the attempts made at legal and ethical reform in the period 70-50 BC, while also shedding new light on collaboration between Pompey and Cato, two key arbiters of change. Leading Romans in the late republic were more concerned about the problems of their empire than is generally recognized. This text challenges the traditional picture by exploring the attempts made at legal and ethical reform in the period 70-50 BC, while also shedding new light on collaboration between Pompey and Cato, two key arbiters of change