Tracing the origin of elected senators in the ancient Roman Republic, one must look back to the reforms of Servius Tullius 6th Century BC. Observing a monarchy in place from its inception in 753 BC, the people of Rome both grew in numbers as well as in influence, until finally a great mass of them had enough power to demand a radical shift in the way the city was run. This demand first saw the establishment of a Consular government similar to the one popular in Greek cities, but with the collapse of aristocratic power a few years later the traditional houses of Rome fell and the people’s voices gained prominence in the decision making process. With this ascendancy, the ancient Roman Senate was formed, a body consisting of men and women who were chosen by the people’s collective will to rule over their affairs.
But how did the process work exactly? Who were these individuals who were elected senators in this new Roman Republic? The answer found in the laws passed by Servius Tullius specifies that Rome should be divided in two classes; the Patrician, which comprised the more influential members of society such as nobles, rich merchants and politicians, and the Plebian, which were the common people of Rome. Ostensibly, it was these two classes that were given the power to elect their representatives to the Senate.
As far as election process itself goes though, there wasn’t much to speak of. It is assumed that some form of public voting was used, with the result being that any member of the Patrician class identified from the candidates set forth by the Plebians could be elected to the senate. The Plebian must then go on to become the sponsor of a bill or function in a senatorial capacity in order for the documents to be put into law.
The election process for Senators in ancient Rome wasn’t perfect by any means, and it was tellingly marred by issues such as corruption and in-fighting among the influential members of the Patrician class. That being said, it was an exercise in democracy which set the wheels in motion for the eventual fall of the Roman Republic in the centuries that followed.
Upon reflection there are a number of issues that one could critique with regards to the ancient election process. It is a system of government that could be perceived as having been too heavily influenced by the patricians, where the plebians lacked adequate representation or agency in the process. Additionally, the notion of collective decision making did not always deliver the best results. For example, the election of a single candidate in the Patrician class could be the result of an individual mobilizing a large number of individual votes, while in the Plebian class collective decision making was focused solely on the best suited candidate and rarely accounted for larger interests of the whole electorate.
Rhetoric and Oratory in Antiquity
The election process for senators in ancient Rome was not just about the ticking of boxes. It was also an arena for rhetoric and oratory to be practiced by candidates hoping to capture the minds and hearts of their compatriots. Notable examples of this are Cicero, who eloquently argued for the merits of democracy at the Senate, and Calpurnia, who used her platform to push for women’s rights. Those who were successful in their attempts to appeal to their constituents were chosen as senators, and their ideas – be it for or against the status quo – informed the lawmaking process for generations.
Rhetoric, it is argued had immense influence over the outcome of senatorial elections. Candidates skilled in the craft of speechmaking could forge powerful ties with the people and effectively position themselves as the ideal representatives of the state. Similarly, their words could evoke emotional responses from their listeners, urging them to vote in favour of the person and policies which most resonated with them. In this way, those who were confident in the power of rhetoric had a great advantage over their competitors, and it is thanks to their work that many of our contemporary notions of political discourse, such as appeals to the human values of justice and liberty, can be credited back to ancient Rome.
Overall, the election of senators in ancient Rome was a drawn out and sometimes problematic process. Nonetheless, it signals a turning point in the way societies have interacted with the notion of democracy and its potential to create a more equitable and fair governing body. In many ways, it set the foundation for modern democracies and provided an example for which we could refine the flawed process into something more robust.
Legacy of Influence
It is perhaps not surprising, then, that the Roman Senate and its election process has retained a space in modern political discourse. After all, the narrative of the Republic gave birth to the idea of democracy which followed it into the realm of contemporary politics. This influence has been seen in numerous ways, from the structures of civic governments, to the way in which emerging democracies have adopted a similar form of senatorial elections as a means to strengthen their democratic processes.
Likewise, the works and speeches of the legendary senators from antiquity such as Cicero and Calpurnia have been used as examples of great oratory, with their words and deeds serving as stepping stones for those who wished to learn about the importance of rhetoric in the political process. What’s more, the lessons learned from the election process in ancient times has been used in varying degrees in the creation of modern constitutions and amendments in democracies all over the world.
Ultimately, the legacy of senatorial elections in ancient Rome will be remembered as a foundational moment in the development of democracy, and in many ways, an inspiration to those who wished to bring rule by the people to places where it was otherwise unheard of.
Political Impact
The election process of senators in ancient Rome had a profound impact on centuries of political culture and discourse. By giving the people a degree of control over who would represent them in the Senate, Rome established a system of governance in which every voice, rich or poor, noble or plebian, could potentially effect the desires of the city.
This influence was felt not just within the city itself, but throughout the Mediterranean world. The idea that senators were ‘chosen’ by the people inspired other societies to look for similar ways to bring democracy to their own shores. Thus, the election process for senators in Rome helped to initiate a new mindset which reshaped the perception of political power and allowed for future generations to stir up similar revolutions of their own.
Moreover, the impact of senatorial elections in antiquity was also crucial in the development of business in the region. Those with wealth and influence were no longer necessary to pass laws and shape the civic landscape. Rather, the election of senators became a way for entrepreneurs to add their voices to the legislative process, particularly in the promotion of policies that would benefit their interests and potentially prove most advantageous for the whole of Rome.
Growth from Innuendo
In spite of its flaws, the post-Servian election process for senators had some positive outcomes. It is arguable that the elections gave ordinary people the power to call the wealthiest members of society to account and, if necessary, punish them for their wrongdoings. For example, if a particular candidate had insulted their electors or acted in a way that was detrimental to their interests, their reputation could be soiled by innuendo alone. This is especially true in instances where the election process was rife with bribery and political chicanery, as the people could cast suspicion on certain candidates and potentially force them to abandon their ambitions entirely.
Additionally, the growth of the Plebian class in number and importance can directly be attributed to the election of senators. Consider that the Patrician class, although the most well resourced and influential, only made up a tiny fraction of the population. By allowing for senators to be chosen from the plebians, Rome sent a clear message that the people had a stake in their own destiny and from this lower classes began to increase in wealth and status.
It is not impossible to imagine, then, that without the precedent set by the Senatorial elections of Rome, the political history of the world would have been quite different. The system may have been far from perfect, but it nonetheless served as a stepping stone in the rise of democracy – it’s reach extending centuries into the future and inspiring a multitude of republics along the way.
Socio-Cultural Contributions
The election of senators in ancient Rome also led to a number of cultural developments, as legislators sought to bring their own influences into the lawmaking process. Consequently, Rome took on a far more diverse array of ideas and beliefs than it had before, with these being shared and adopted by the population at large.
Alongside this cultural shift, Rome also began to see a rise in the status of women, who were finally granted the chance to put their names forward as candidates for senatorial office. This signalled a major step forward in the rights of female citizens, a development which equal rights advocates have attributed to the works of the legendary female senators such as Calpurnia. This helped to combat the gender gap in the ancient world and has been an essential part of the development of modern feminism in the centuries that followed.
The election of senators in ancient Rome was also hugely important in regards to education. During their tenure, Roman senators were expected to educate their constituents on the laws of the Republic and the importance of democracy. Not only this, but their work and speeches acted as invaluable references to subsequent generations of scholars, with the writings of men such as Cicero being studied to this day by academics and laymen alike. Clearly, the election process laid the groundwork for what would become a much broader socio-cultural impact.
Conclusion
The election of senators in ancient Rome was undeniably a pivotal point in the advancement of democracy, and this notion has clearly been continued into modern times. The influence of the senatorial election process can be seen in the structures of civic governments in the West, in the late courts of the Plebian class and even in the speeches of our contemporary political leaders. It stands to reason then, that examining the election process of senators in Rome can provide us with unique insights into the role of democracy in our history, and help us to better understand the significance of its formative years.
