Auteur: Arena, Valentina
Titre: The god Liber and Republican notions of « libertas » in the late Roman Republic
Revue/Collection: In : Catalina Balmaceda (ed.), « Libertas » and « res publica » in the Roman Republic: ideas of freedom and Roman politics, Leiden-Boston, Brill, 2020. XII-269 p.
Annèe edition: 2020
Pages: 55-83
Mots-clès: Politique - Politica - Politics, Religion - Religione - Religion
Description: The chapter focuses on the Roman god Liber and its relationship with the idea of libertas especially in the first century BC. By examining and analysing the different ways in which Liber was understood and symbolised in the late Republic, Arena concludes that, contrary to what later sources have led us to believe, the divinity had become primarily associated with the idea of fertility, abundance and vegetation, and therefore was not primarily related to political or juridical freedom. As she puts it, ‘Liber had rather come to signify liberty from physical constraints to enable the individual to flourish and realise one’s own potential (inherent in one’s nature).’28 The identification of this alternative way of conceptualizing liberty in Rome shows the variety of manners in which its rich potential could be used by intellectuals and politicians, especially in struggles of the late Republic [Catalina Balmaceda, 9] Quotes Cic. Nat. Deor. 2.60 1 2; 62 ; leg. 2.19 & 2.27 ; de or. 3.167 ; Verr. II.5.72 ; Balb. 24.55 ; Att. 14. 14. 2 & Cic. Att. 14.10.1 ; Flacc. 66.
Sigle auteur: Arena 2020
Titre: The god Liber and Republican notions of « libertas » in the late Roman Republic
Revue/Collection: In : Catalina Balmaceda (ed.), « Libertas » and « res publica » in the Roman Republic: ideas of freedom and Roman politics, Leiden-Boston, Brill, 2020. XII-269 p.
Annèe edition: 2020
Pages: 55-83
Mots-clès: Politique - Politica - Politics, Religion - Religione - Religion
Description: The chapter focuses on the Roman god Liber and its relationship with the idea of libertas especially in the first century BC. By examining and analysing the different ways in which Liber was understood and symbolised in the late Republic, Arena concludes that, contrary to what later sources have led us to believe, the divinity had become primarily associated with the idea of fertility, abundance and vegetation, and therefore was not primarily related to political or juridical freedom. As she puts it, ‘Liber had rather come to signify liberty from physical constraints to enable the individual to flourish and realise one’s own potential (inherent in one’s nature).’28 The identification of this alternative way of conceptualizing liberty in Rome shows the variety of manners in which its rich potential could be used by intellectuals and politicians, especially in struggles of the late Republic [Catalina Balmaceda, 9] Quotes Cic. Nat. Deor. 2.60 1 2; 62 ; leg. 2.19 & 2.27 ; de or. 3.167 ; Verr. II.5.72 ; Balb. 24.55 ; Att. 14. 14. 2 & Cic. Att. 14.10.1 ; Flacc. 66.
Sigle auteur: Arena 2020
