March 29

On This Day In Roman History, March 29

King Gundobad releases a compilation of laws in a text known as the Lex Burgundionum on March 29, This proclamation was greatly influenced by Roman law and looked to define a wide set of rules and codes having to due widely with domestic laws. This document is not to be confused with the similarly named Lex Romana Burgundionum which directly takes several laws from Roman sources. This text influenced the Burgundian Kingdom which was one of the oldest Germanic kingdoms ever, coming to fruition in the mid 5th-century.

Did you know?

Laws for land being passed down, like so many other laws found within this text, are based on the strict and ancient belief systems of the Germanic Burgundians that invented them. This only allowed land to be passed down through strict hand-offs within families. This succession was common for many other aspects of handling property ownership.

Pictured: Saint Sigismund. Detail from: Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta praying in front of St. Sigismondo. By Piero della Francesca, 1451. Photograph by Georges Jansoone, via Wikimedia Commons. 

Sigismund was the son of King Gundobad and may have directly contributed to the writing of these laws. It is unknown exactly how much influence either had in the writing of these laws, but it is assumed both had a large role in their compilations.

Today's quote is a translated set of laws from the mentioned text: "23. If a person provides someone with weapons where strife arises, but1

 he does no harm, let him pay

with 6 shillings.

23.1. If highway robbery should be done, let him [i.e., the one who provided the weapons] pay with

6 shillings.

23.2. If a person kills that man [who is being robbed] let him [i.e., the one who provided the

weapons] pay with 20 shillings.

24. If a person kills someone, let him pay an ordinary person-price, 100 shillings.

24.1. If a person kills someone, let him pay 20 shillings at the open grave, and let him pay the entire

person[-price] in 40 nights.

24.2. If the killer departs from the land, let his kinsmen pay a half person[-price].

25. If a person binds a freeman, let him pay [with] 20 shillings.

26. If a person kills a freeman’s loaf-eater,2

 let him pay with 6 shillings.

27. If [a person] kills a freedman3

 of the first rank, let him pay [with] 80 shillings.

27.1. If he kills [one of] that second [rank], let him pay with 60 shillings.

27.2. [For one of] that third [rank], let him pay with 40 shillings.

28. If a freeman breaks into an enclosure,4

 let him pay with 6 shillings.

28.1. If a person takes property therein, let that man pay 3[–fold] as compensation. 

Opinion

Welcome to my daily opinion! Slowly but surely I will catch up! Here is a late post from yesterday, I hope to actually fill out this section sometime later today! 

Sources

   Drew, K. F., & Lear, F. S. (1963). Perspectives in medieval history. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

   Drew, K. F. (1996). The Burgundian code: book of constitutions or law of Gundobad, additional enactments. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press.

   Hoyt, R. S. (1993). Life and thought in the early Middle Ages. Ann Arbor, MI: UMI Books on Demand.

Further Reading: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lex_Burgundionum

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigismund

March 28

On This Day In Roman History, March 28

Publius Helvius Pertinax Augustus has his reign come to an end after he is assassinated by the Praetorian Guard on March 28, 193 CE. Pertinax's rule happens during the Year of the Five Emperors and concludes with the Severan dynasty. Things had been going downhill for Pertinax near the end of his rule and he narrowly thwarted a conspiracy to replace him in early March of 193. Pertinax had been cracking down on the "spoiled" Praetorians, instilling discipline and cutting some of their bonuses. This would ultimately lead to his downfall and by the end of March some two to three hundred guards headed to the Imperial Palace to meet Pertinax. With ample time to flee, he denied the opportunity and instead confronted the large group soldiers. After a discussion, he was finally struck down by an unnamed soldier.

Did you know?

Pertinax realized how dangerous his position as Emperor would be and this can be found in the fact he chose not to bestow Imperial titles upon his family. This included his wife and son, both of whom survived the assassination and went on to live in some obscurity. Pertinax's father in law, Titus Flavius Claudius Sulpicianus, was named the prefect of the city of Rome. He would go on to attempt to be Emperor after Pertinax, but after backing the wrong horse found himself tried and executed in 197 under Septimius Severus. 

Pictured: Pertinax as found in the Vatican Museums, Rome. Photo by Egisto Sani, via Creative Commons. 

Today's selected quote comes from Dio's a Roman History, Book LXXIV: "Pertinax was an excellent and upright man, but he ruled only a very short time, and was then put out of the way by the soldiers. While the fate of Commodus still remained a secret, the followers of Laetus and Eclectus came to him and informed him what had been done; for because of his excellence and his rank they were glad to choose him. And he, after seeing them and hearing their story, sent his most trustworthy companion to view the body of Commodus. When this man had confirmed the report of the deed, Pertinax than betook himself secretly to the camp. At first his arrival caused the soldiers alarm; but thanks to the presence of Laetus' adherents and to the offers that Pertinax made (he promised to give them twelve thousand sesterces apiece), he won them over. Indeed, they would have remained perfectly quiet, had he not in closing his speech made some such remark as this: "There are many distressing circumstances, fellow-soldiers, in the present situation; but the rest with your help shall be set right again." On hearing this, they suspected that all the privileges granted them by Commodus in violation of precedent would be abolished, and they were displeased; nevertheless, they remained quiet, concealing their anger. On leaving the camp, he came to the senate-house while it was still night, and after greeting us, so far as it was possible for anyone to approach him in the midst of such a jostling throng, he said off-hand: "I have been named emperor by the soldiers; however, I do not want the office and shall resign it at once, this very day, because of my age and feeble health, and because of the distressing state of affairs." This was no sooner said than we gave him our genuine approbation and chose him in very truth; for he was not only most noble in spirit but also strong in body, except that he suffered from a slight impediment in walking by reason of his feet."

Opinion

Welcome to my daily opinion! I am alive but still sick, just happy to finally be OK enough to write some posts! I will slowly attempt to make up the posts I have missed over the course of the next week. With that out of the way, I think that is one of the biggest selected quotes I have used during my time posting! It really does give a good insight into the man that was Pertinax. How could you be so smart about overthrowing Commodus but then fail to financially back the authority that gave you power in Rome, Pertinax?! I guess hind-sight is 20/20, but, for real, he had to have some serious cajones to stare down a few hundred disgruntled guards. This will mark the beginning of a period recognized by its instability, which I will be discussing at some length in the coming months. I hope to have a dedicated post at the conclusion of the Year of the Five Emperors. Thanks for bearing with me during my illness! 

Sources

   Hohl, E., & Samberger, C. (1997). Scriptores historiae Avgvstae. Stutgardiae: Teubner.

   Mennen, I. (2011). Power and status in the Roman Empire, AD 193-284. Leiden: Brill.

   T., & Heather, P. (2001). Politics, philosophy, and empire in the fourth century: select orations of Themistius. Liverpool: Liverpool University Press.

Further Reading:

http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/e/roman/texts/cassius_dio/74*.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pertinax

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Praefectus_urbi

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titus_Flavius_Claudius_Sulpicianus

March 25

On This Day In Roman History, March 25

The Byzantine Emperor Theodosius III resigns his throne in order to enter the clergy on March 25, 717 CE.

This post will be updated on 5/28/17. Or maybe never sorry lol 

March 24

On This Day In Roman History, March 24

A day appears on the Roman calendar with the mark "QRFC" which denotes a meeting of the Comitia Calata on March 24. This group was a non-voting body known as a comitia. Their primary duties included inaugurating the rex, rex sacrorum, or the flamines, depending on the time period. The group met under the supervision of college of the pontiffs and pontifex maximus. The German classical scholar, Theodor Mommsen, noted that the QRFC that appeared was most likely denoting "Q. Rex C. F." or "Quando Rex Comitiavit Fas". 

Did you know?

Another primary function of the group, specifically on March 24, was to listen and sanction the reading of wills. Another important function was presiding over the legal matter of a person passing from one gens to the other via adoption. The priests would perform a ceremony known as the detestatio sacrorum where the new family member was required to acknowledge all spiritual duties that they would now perform within the new family. 

Pictured: The remains of the Fasti Praenestini which denoted the QRFC I spoke about earlier. March was the first month during the 10-month Legendary calendar, and thus had many Mars-centric holidays and practices associated within it. Other denotions including F for fastus, C for comitialis, N for nefastus, and EN for endotercissus.

Today's selected quote is from the mentioned author, Theodor Mommsen, in his book The History of Rome: "The distinction between ancient and modern history, therefore, is no mere accident, nor yet a mere matter of chronological convenience. What is called modern history is in reality the formation of a new cycle of culture, connected at several epochs of its development with the perishing or perished civilization of the mediterranean states, as that was connected with the primitive civilization of the Indo-Germanic stock, but destined, like that earlier cycle, to traverse an orbit of its own. It too is destined to experience in full measure the vicissitudes of national weal and woe, period of growth, of full vigour, and of age, the blessedness of creative effort, in religion, polity, and art, the comfort of enjoying the material and intellectual acquisitions it has won, perhaps also, some day, the decay of productive power in the satiety of contentment with the goal attained. But that goal too will only be temporary: the grandest system of civilization has its orbit, and may complete its course; but not so the human race, to which, even when it seems to have attained its goal, the old task is ever set anew with a wider range and with a deeper meaning."

There will be no opinion section today due to work me enjoying Friday off. See you Saturday! 

March 23

On This Day In Roman History, March 23

On the last day of Quinquatria, a ceremony known as Tubilustrium takes place on March 23. I talked about Quinquatria when it starts on March 19, and will now look to dive a little deeper on this last day ceremony. During Tubilustrium, generals looked to the armies in order to prepare them for war or a campaign. March classically marked the beginning of campaign season for early Rome and the festival retained this purpose even after Rome started participating in military campaigns year-round. A trademark event for this ceremony was the playing of ceremonial trumpets known in Latin as tubae. The event was held within a building in Rome known as the atrium sutorium, or the Hall of the Shoemakers. It concluded with the sacrifice of a ewe lamb and the Salii parading through the streets.

Did you know?

This ceremony followed in line with Quinquatria by celebrating the Roman God Mars and a lesser known Sabine goddess sometimes referred to as Nerine. Another interesting fact is that the site of the atrium sutorium has been lost to time and is unknown. The building itself probably has connections to shoe manufacture or trade and was probably demolished and covered up, therefore transforming it into a forum area. 

Pictured: Mars wearing a breastplate, Ancient Roman bronze figurine, origins traced to Gaul. Photo by Marie-Lan Nguyen, via Wikimedia Commons. 

Today's selected quote is from Cato that was found within his book on farming tips. He prescribes a promise to be made with Mars in order to keep cattle safe: "Make an offering to Mars Silvanus in the forest (in silva) during the daytime for each head of cattle: 3 pounds of meal, 4½ pounds of bacon, 4½ pounds of meat, and 3 pints of wine. You may place the viands in one vessel, and the wine likewise in one vessel. Either a slave or a free man may make this offering. After the ceremony is over, consume the offering on the spot at once. A woman may not take part in this offering or see how it is performed. You may vow the vow every year if you wish."

Opinion

Welcome to my daily opinion! I ran into an interesting distinction on the Latin terms tubae vs tubi. The 20th-century theologian and scholar, Johannes Quasten, seems to think the difference is only that tubae are used during military preparation and tubi used during sacrificial ceremonies. This comes right back to how nit-picky some of this Roman religious jargon can be and how just downright confusing some its practices are. Take a moment and be happy Farmer's Almanacs today are based off observable trends and science; those to learn from Ovid were not nearly as lucky.

Sources

   Fowler, W. W. (1899). The roman festivals of the period of the Republic: an introduction to the study of the religion of Romans. London: Macmillan.

   Richardson, L. (1995). A new topographical dictionary of ancient Rome. Baltimore: John Hopkins Univ. Press.

   Sears, G. (2015). Written space in the Latin West, 200 BC to AD 300. London: Bloomsbury.

Further Reading: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tubilustrium

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quinquatria

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_(mythology)

http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Gazetteer/Places/Europe/Italy/Lazio/Roma/Rome/_Texts/PLATOP*/atria.html

March 22

On This Day In Roman History, March 22

Marcus Antonius Gordianus Sempronianus Romanus Africanus and his son Marcus Antonius Gordianus Sempronianus Romanus Africanus Augustus are proclaimed Emperor on March 22, 238 CE. The two Emperors, more commonly known as Gordian I and Gordian II, were only in power for exactly three weeks. These two make up a series known as the Year of the Six Emperors. This proclamation came after the rebellious leader, Maximinus Thrax, seized a large portion of power and a revolt against him started in North Africa in January, 238. Gordian II, attached to his father due to old age and health concerns, died at the Battle of Carthage. After Gordian I heard the news, he took his own life. 

Did you know?

Even though Gordian I and II were defeated in the first rebellion against Thrax, a third man would find success later in 238. This nephew of Gordian II was recognized as Emperor and ending the Year of the Six Emperors. He was granted the title Marcus Antonius Gordianus Pius Augustus by the Senate and would rule until 244. 

Pictured: Portrait of Gordian I. Marble, Roman artwork, 220–230 CE. Photo by Wikipedia user Jastrow, via Wikimedia Commons. 

Today's selected quote is yet again from Gibbon. He describes how Gordian I at first objected ruling due to old age, but eventually accepted the responsibility and the cognomen Africanus: "An iniquitous sentence had been pronounced against some opulent youths of [Africa], the execution of which would have stripped them of far the greater part of their patrimony. (…) A respite of three days, obtained with difficulty from the rapacious treasurer, was employed in collecting from their estates a great number of slaves and peasants blindly devoted to the commands of their lords, and armed with the rustic weapons of clubs and axes. The leaders of the conspiracy, as they were admitted to the audience of the procurator, stabbed him with the daggers concealed under their garments, and, by the assistance of their tumultuary train, seized on the little town of Thysdrus, and erected the standard of rebellion against the sovereign of the Roman empire. (...) Gordianus, their proconsul, and the object of their choice [as emperor], refused, with unfeigned reluctance, the dangerous honour, and begged with tears that they should suffer him to terminate in peace a long and innocent life, without staining his feeble age with civil blood. Their menaces compelled him to accept the Imperial purple, his only refuge indeed against the jealous cruelty of Maximin (...)."

Opinion 

Welcome to my daily opinion! I didn't want to give too much away about the Battle of Carthage (238) because its only three weeks away! I am also happy to announce that's the most ridiculous opening line I have ever written during the three months I have been making these posts. For anyone who likes civil wars, this is the time period for you. If you are unfamiliar, I have skipped mentioning both Pupienus and Balbinus, the Emperors that come between Gordian II and Gordian III because they too will have their dates in history. I mainly just feel bad for Gordian I, who died at the age of 79 and outlived his son, simply because power was forced upon him during civil strife. He almost made it through a full career within what is Roman juggernautut power-politics; where making mistakes doesn't just cause you to lose your office, but one also usually pays with his life. 

Sources

   Blois, L. D. (2001). Administration, prosopography and appointment policies in the Roman empire: proceedings of the first workshop of the international network Impact of Empire (Roman Empire, 27 B.C. - A.D. 406), Leiden, June 28 - July 1, 2000. Amsterdam: Gieben.

   Magie, D., O'Brien-Moore, A., & Ballou, S. H. (1922). The Scriptores historiae Augustae. London: W. Heinemann.

   Potter, D. S. (2014). The Roman Empire at bay: AD 180-395. London: Routledge.

Further Reading:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gordian_I

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gordian_II

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gordian_III

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Year_of_the_Six_Emperors

March 21

On This Day In Roman History, March 21

The Byzantine Emperor Flavius Heraclius Augustus returns the Christian relic known as the True Cross to Jerusalem on March 21, 630 CE. Heraclius was faced with a growing military power in early 629, as the prophet Muhammad succeeded in unifying all nomadic tribes within the Arabian Peninsula. Together, these unified tribes and coalitions of people were now powerful enough to evoke Heraclius on a campaign against them later that same year. Fighting began in September of 629 as power was forcefully switched from an Arab ambassador to a Ghassanid-Roman governor. As Heraclius approached the capital city of Khosrau, Arab forces fled without a fight. A recently freed local Persian leader from within the city offered the True Cross with his personal peace negotiator, hoping to use it as a sign of good will. Emperor Heraclius then paraded the relic through the Empire for the year, eventually returning it to Jerusalem.

Did you know?

Heraclius is the only Roman Emperor to be discussed at any length in Arab histories. He is also mentioned in the Qur'an alongside some descriptions of his wars. In Surah 30 of the Qur'an, we can find a description of the Roman - Sassanid wars: "2 The Romans have been defeated 3 In the nearest land. But they, after their defeat, will overcome. 4 Within several years. To Allah belongs the command before and after. And that day the believers will rejoice 5 In the victory of Allah. He gives victory to whom He wills, and He is the Exalted in Might, the Merciful."

Pictured: One of the largest purported fragments of the True Cross is at Santo Toribio de Liébana in Spain. Photo by F. J. Díez Martín, via Wikimedia Commons. 

There are several surviving pieces of the True Cross around today, and together they make up some of the most important Christian relics. However, all of them are considered to be fake by most historians due to the fact the sultan Saladin captured the cross at the Battle of Hattin in 1187. The cross was last historically seen in Damascus. So many churches would eventually claim pieces of the True Cross that the French theologian and pastor John Calvin would state "There is no abbey so poor as not to have a specimen. In some places there are large fragments, as at the Holy Chapel in Paris, at Poitiers, and at Rome, where a good-sized crucifix is said to have been made of it. In brief, if all the pieces that could be found were collected together, they would make a big ship-load. Yet the Gospel testifies that a single man was able to carry it." 

Opinion

Welcome to my daily opinion! It's interesting to see history from a different perspective, and for me today that was found in the primarily Arab writings of Heraclius. When I briefly mentioned above that many tribes and cultural groups of the Arabian Peninsula became confederated into a powerful force, it wasn't all that easy for Muhammad in reality. Several other confederated tribes, like that of the Hawazin, were proving stubborn to defeat in outright military conquest. During this time many pagan symbols were destroyed as the cities were forced to convert to Islam. When I use the word "pagan" I am not referring to the Roman-Pagan beliefs, but instead deities worshiped in pre-Islamic Arabia. I will leave some further reading on these deities and the beliefs that unaccompanied them, like that of Al-Lat, a chief goddess found within Mecca. 

Sources

   Ciggaar, K. (1996). East and West in the crusader States: context, contacts, confrontations. Leuven: Peeters.

   Haykal, M. H. (2008). The life of Muḥammad. Kuala Lumpur: Islamic Book Trust.

   Kaegi, W. E. (2007). Heraclius: emperor of Byzantium. Cambridge, U.K.: Cambridge University Press.

Further Reading:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Lat

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/True_Cross

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heraclius