Gianpaolo Urso

This paper explores the different meanings of the term popularitas from the 2nd century BC to the 5th century AD. Originally linked with the idea of “citizenship” (Plautus), it indicates an actio, i.e. the pursuit of popular support by prominent republican politicians (adfectatores regni like Spurius Maelius and Manlius Capitolinus, “subversive demagogues” like the Gracchi, but also Cicero and Pompey) or by the emperors (Tiberius, Caligula, Nero, and Titus)...

All the Sergii of the early Republic are presented by our sources in an unfavourable light: the first of them was a member of the infamous second college of Decemvirs; the following often quarrelled with their colleagues and were defeated in battle; when they were victorious, the Roman people paradoxically mourned for the fallen instead of cheering the victor...