Episode 95 – Introducing Caeso Quinctius

The Partial Historians

Episode 95 – Introducing Caeso Quinctius

The complex relationship between the patricians and plebeians is central to our appreciation of the 460s BCE. In this episode we’ll get to consider the complexities first hand with the entrance of Caeso Quinctius (remember this name, he’s going places!).

We jump back into
the narrative history of c. 461 BCE with our guides of the moment,
Livy and Dionysius of Halicarnassus. Both are writing long after
these events, which means that their accounts leave a lot to be
desired at times. Nevertheless, both are interested in presenting a
narrative on the theme of power. How is it distributed? Who has it
and who doesn’t? And what are the mechanisms of political power in
this system of armies, consuls, patricians, and plebeians?

Young Versus Old?

Livy makes mention of the some generational differences in attitude of the elder patricians and their scions. These simmering tensions influence the way politics plays out in the forum. Dionysius is more interested in discoursing upon the variety of patrician attitudes towards the tribunes, including trying to undermine their legitimacy by noting that they have no connection to the gods. It’s at this point that the young patricians start to emerge with a reputation for public violence…

Enter Caeso
Quinctius

Young, handsome, dangerous, and patrician – he not only has a reputation for words, but he seems like the kinda man who’d back himself in a fight. As a ringleader amongst the young patricians, Quinctius has earned himself a bit of a reputation. Things start to get rough for this youthful specimen of Roman masculinity when Aulus Verginius, tribune of the plebs, seeks to bring charges against him…

Our Key Players

Consuls

• Publius Volumnius M. f. M. n. Amintinus Gallus (pat.)
• Servius Sulpicius – f. Ser. n. Camerinus Cornutus (pat.)

Tribune of the Plebs

• Aulus Verginius
• Marcus Volscius

Patricians

• Caeso Quinctius
• Lucius Quinctius “Cincinnatus”

Further reading

Lintott, A. W. 1970. ‘The Traditions of Violence in the Annals of the Early Roman Republic’ Historia: Zeitschrift für Alte Geschichte 19.1.12-29

Henryk Siemiradzki c. 1880s A Dangerous Game. Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
Although considered to depict a mythological scene, this painting hints at the undercurrent of violence inherent in this episode as well as suggesting the generational factors at play.