man
statuo-statuere-statutum
cause to stand, set up
in compounds, -stituo-stitutum,
cf. sto-stare-statum
urbs, urbis
city
volvo-volvere-volutum
turn
Nothing Works
Finally, I came to the conclusion that the condition of all existing states is bad—nothing can cure their constitutions, but a miraculous reform assisted by good luck—and I was driven to assert, in praise of true philosophy, that nothing else can enable one to see what is right for states and for individuals, and that the troubles of mankind will never cease until either true and genuine philosophers attain political power or the rulers of states by some dispensation of providence become genuine philosophers .
PLATO (fourth-century BCE Greek philosopher), Seventh Letter
GOVERNMENTAL BUREAUCRACY
The Roman state was highly organized not only politically, but economically and socially as well; and over time, the number of administrative offices grew larger and larger. Are you surprised?
Just a Few Roman Political Offices
consul, consulis = consul, the highest magistrate in the Republic. Two were elected each year.
cf. consulo-consulere-consultum = consider, deliberate
and consilium, consilii = deliberation, advice
censor, censoris = censor, the magistrate in charge of prosecuting crimes involving moral and political offenses, as well as being responsible for the assessment of taxes and the raising of revenues for public works.
cf. censeo-censēre-censum = tax, assess
tribunus, tribuni = tribune, the magistrate charged with rights and interests of the plebeian class.
dictator, dictatoris = dictator. In times of extreme public danger, a dictator might be appointed with supreme power by the Senate for a maximum period of six months.
cf. dico-dicere-dictum = say, speak, declare
pontifex maximus = the high priest, who was the head of all the official clergy and presided over the religious affairs of the state.
pontifex, pontificis = priest
maximus, maximi = greatest
The word pontifex actually means “bridge maker” (pons, pontis = bridge). The origin of the term is unclear, but some scholars believe that it originally was an individual skilled in the magic of bridge making; others argue that his function was to build a “bridge” between the human and the divine world.
Purity in Politics …
The English word candidate derives from the fact that when a Roman ran for political office, he would wear a distinctive white toga (toga candidata) while campaigning in the Forum.
cf. candeo-candēre = glow, shine; be clear
But Not All That Pure…
The Forum was the public square and center of Roman civic and religious life, but it was also the place where politicians campaigned, debated, legislated, judged, and incessantly plotted against one another. It was there, on the Ides of March, 44 BCE, that the Roman general and dictator, Julius Caesar, was assassinated, the victim of a conspiracy of Roman senators and his supposed friend and ally, Brutus. It is no wonder that in Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar a fortune-teller warned him, “Beware the Ides of March.” His dying words, Et tu, Brute (“Even you, Brutus”) , have come to mean an act of betrayal.
Only if the Signs Are Right
Perhaps our political system would operate even more efficiently if we followed the Roman method of making public decisions only when what they regarded as divine signs were favorable. The interpreter of these omens, which included the flight of birds, was called the augur; and it was he who decided whether the auspicia allowed the Senate to act, a military leader to make an expedition, or a successful candidate to be installed, or inaugurated, into office.
Vocabulary
Latin Word
English Meaning
omen, ominis
sign, omen
augur, auguris
diviner, prophet
auspes, auspicis
interpreter of events through the flight of birds
cf. specio-specere-spectum
look at
inauguro-inaugurare-inauguratum
take omens; consecrate, dedicate
Whose Side Are You On?
A
statuo-statuere-statutum
cause to stand, set up
in compounds, -stituo-stitutum,
cf. sto-stare-statum
urbs, urbis
city
volvo-volvere-volutum
turn
Nothing Works
Finally, I came to the conclusion that the condition of all existing states is bad—nothing can cure their constitutions, but a miraculous reform assisted by good luck—and I was driven to assert, in praise of true philosophy, that nothing else can enable one to see what is right for states and for individuals, and that the troubles of mankind will never cease until either true and genuine philosophers attain political power or the rulers of states by some dispensation of providence become genuine philosophers .
PLATO (fourth-century BCE Greek philosopher), Seventh Letter
GOVERNMENTAL BUREAUCRACY
The Roman state was highly organized not only politically, but economically and socially as well; and over time, the number of administrative offices grew larger and larger. Are you surprised?
Just a Few Roman Political Offices
consul, consulis = consul, the highest magistrate in the Republic. Two were elected each year.
cf. consulo-consulere-consultum = consider, deliberate
and consilium, consilii = deliberation, advice
censor, censoris = censor, the magistrate in charge of prosecuting crimes involving moral and political offenses, as well as being responsible for the assessment of taxes and the raising of revenues for public works.
cf. censeo-censēre-censum = tax, assess
tribunus, tribuni = tribune, the magistrate charged with rights and interests of the plebeian class.
dictator, dictatoris = dictator. In times of extreme public danger, a dictator might be appointed with supreme power by the Senate for a maximum period of six months.
cf. dico-dicere-dictum = say, speak, declare
pontifex maximus = the high priest, who was the head of all the official clergy and presided over the religious affairs of the state.
pontifex, pontificis = priest
maximus, maximi = greatest
The word pontifex actually means “bridge maker” (pons, pontis = bridge). The origin of the term is unclear, but some scholars believe that it originally was an individual skilled in the magic of bridge making; others argue that his function was to build a “bridge” between the human and the divine world.
Purity in Politics …
The English word candidate derives from the fact that when a Roman ran for political office, he would wear a distinctive white toga (toga candidata) while campaigning in the Forum.
cf. candeo-candēre = glow, shine; be clear
But Not All That Pure…
The Forum was the public square and center of Roman civic and religious life, but it was also the place where politicians campaigned, debated, legislated, judged, and incessantly plotted against one another. It was there, on the Ides of March, 44 BCE, that the Roman general and dictator, Julius Caesar, was assassinated, the victim of a conspiracy of Roman senators and his supposed friend and ally, Brutus. It is no wonder that in Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar a fortune-teller warned him, “Beware the Ides of March.” His dying words, Et tu, Brute (“Even you, Brutus”) , have come to mean an act of betrayal.
Only if the Signs Are Right
Perhaps our political system would operate even more efficiently if we followed the Roman method of making public decisions only when what they regarded as divine signs were favorable. The interpreter of these omens, which included the flight of birds, was called the augur; and it was he who decided whether the auspicia allowed the Senate to act, a military leader to make an expedition, or a successful candidate to be installed, or inaugurated, into office.
Vocabulary
Latin Word
English Meaning
omen, ominis
sign, omen
augur, auguris
diviner, prophet
auspes, auspicis
interpreter of events through the flight of birds
cf. specio-specere-spectum
look at
inauguro-inaugurare-inauguratum
take omens; consecrate, dedicate
Whose Side Are You On?
A
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