Did Patronage Still Serve A Useful Purpose

In First Century Rome (Latin) Essay, Research Paper

Did patronage still serve a useful purpose in first century Rome.

In the old days clients were guests. But now Roman citizens in togas wait in crowds and scramble on their patron s doorway for their tiny allowance.

Patronage in its original form benefited both patron and client. One important part of patronage was the salutatio where clients paid their respects to their patron in order to a dole (sportula). Patrons expected their clients to arrive at their doorway at dawn, and there is evidence from Martial that even the journey to his patron s doorstep was difficult.

I must ascend the steep path, up the hill from the Suburbia, and the filthy pavement of the slick steps…Then, at the end of these thousand labours, something even more annoying happens: Paulus, your doorman tells me, though I am thoroughly exhausted, that you are not at home. This is the outcome of my futile exertion and drenched little toga.

Martial s account shows how frustrating the ceremony could be for a client in the first century AD and how some patrons did not care about their clients. Clients who were higher up in the social hierarchy of Rome were normally first to be seen by their patron. Patrons were also very keen to make sure that their clients do not cheat them out of more money than they are entitled to:

He peers into each face first, scared stiff that some impostor may give a false name and cheat him: you must be identified before you get your ration.

The patron in this Satire is either a miser or he is used to being careful about clients trying to take more than their fair share of sportula. Clients then had to greet their patrons with a greeting of my lord this demonstrates the subordinate status of the client. Only after this greeting did the patron give their clients their sportula that was usually 6+ sesterces.

Patronage was very useful if the relationship between client and patron worked well and they were both careful not to try to profit out of the relationship. There is much evidence from Pliny that suggests that not all patrons were cruel and unkind but that some patrons provided their clients with great opportunities for success.

That you have a capital of a hundred thousand sesterces is clearly enough shown by the fact that you are a town councillor in our community. Therefore, so that we may have the pleasure of seeing you not just as a town councillor but as a Roman knight, I offer you, to make up the property qualification of a knight, three hundred thousand sesterces.

Pliny s client is clearly gaining a great deal from Pliny s generosity. As Pliny was a rich man and he would not miss the money nor expect to get it back. The gift will benefit Pliny by giving him social deference and some services that his client has to offer. He can use these favours that his client owes him when he needs the service.

Patronage was also a very effective way for a young barrister to progress up the legal hierarchy. Pliny often brought young barristers into the law courts to act as his junior.

I request then nay, I stipulate, that Cremutius Ruso may be joined with me as counsel. This is a practice which I have frequently observed with respect to several distinguished youths; as I take infinite pleasure in introducing young men to the bar, and assigning then over to fame.

Pliny is in a position where he can introduce young men into the bar and there are indications that he does so regularly. These young men may even help Pliny when they get more experienced by assisting him in the law courts or even taking care of some smaller cases that Pliny was less concerned about.

The end of the letter does show a slightly dimmer area of patronage where anyone had to have a patron if they wanted to be introduced into the bar, no matter how talented they are:

As indeed no man s talents, however shining, can raise him at once from obscurity unless they find scope, opportunity, and also a patron to recommend them.

The emperor was the greatest patron of them all. He fulfilled his role of patron of the masses by providing a free grain dole. Many people relied upon this free grain as either they did not have jobs or they were poorly paid. The free grain was seen as a means of social control as it prevented widespread famine that often caused riots.

The grain sometimes ran out and then serious unrest followed.

[In AD 32] a revolution almost occurred because of a serious problem with the grain supply. For several days, protests in the theatre, protests directed toward the emperor, were more frequent and more outspoken than useful.

This shows that even the emperor had to respect his clients. Such dependence on the grain dole was a very risky practice as problems are bound to occur and when they do, they could cause the downfall of the emperor. The emperor also had other more special clients that he had closer contact with. These clients would include certain members of the senate and most ex-consuls. He gave special favours to these clients. Pliny once asked the emperor to grant citizenship to a doctor that has served him well.

Having been attacked last year by a severe and dangerous illness, I employed a physician whose care and diligence, Sir, I cannot sufficiently reward, but by your graci

Внимание, отключите Adblock

Вы посетили наш сайт со включенным блокировщиком рекламы!
Ссылка для скачивания станет доступной сразу после отключения Adblock!

Скачать