Contiones referred to the assemblies in which influential legislators debated and presented their views to the people of Rome on policies proposed by the People’s Assembly and aspirants for public offices. Contiones took many forms, including legislative, electoral, and judicial. Even though Contiones never addressed many issues affecting the general public, this concept is debatable. As a result, the Contiones of Cicero’s time, as discussed by James Tan, will be the focal point of this paper, with examples drawn from previous research by Pina Polo, Edward Anson, and Hugh Lindsay.
The legislative Contiones were the only gatherings that allowed essential politicians to discuss laws proposed previously at the legislative assemblies and express their opinions to the general public. Several scholars believe that Contio was instrumental in determining the fate of the proposed law in the first place. It was customary for proponents of the law to withdraw from it if they realized that the people taking part in the Contio were not in favor of the law to avoid a significant loss of prestige in the People’s Assembly (Polo 209). Contiones also played a crucial role in the election of new officials. During Cicero’s reign, James Tan’s (163-201) research on the Contiones focused on the customs surrounding gatherings and the benefits that resulted from them. He acknowledges the Contiones’ outstanding achievements, which enabled them to play a significant role in Roman politics. He explains how the Contiones played a substantial role in influencing public opinion during the election process.
Laudatory Contiones, also known as funerary, played an essential role in Roman public life and were an essential component of funerary rites. A member of the deceased’s family was permitted to praise them publicly, or an official spoke on behalf of the entire community (Lindsay 90). At Caesar’s aunt’s funeral, he delivered an oration widely considered one of the most significant moments in his political career. A similar conclusion can be drawn from James’ research, which found that the Contiones positively impacted individuals who used the platform to address the gathering. In James’ view, Cicero’s success in politics was primarily due to his ability to persuade the Contiones with his speeches.
The moral values and principles instilled in Macedonia by judicial Contiones were critical. When King Alexander commanded his army and his subjects, he used the Contiones to improve discipline (Anson 231). He was able to deal with crimes against the state through the Contiones. Before implementing new policies, he would frequently consult with his advisers. The effective use of the Contio was a crucial factor in his regime’s rise to power. According to James, he said that Cicero’s success was due to his effective use of the Contiones. Cicero’s long and successful career as an orator and lawyer helped him rise through the ranks of the Roman government.
To sum up, the ancient Contiones were significant throughout history in various ways. Many political careers were launched due to the platforms, and the general public was somehow influenced. The scholars whose work served as the foundation for our analysis all agreed that the Contiones had always yielded a positive impact when used correctly. They provided an easy way for those aspiring to be leaders to govern the subjects well, provided that the aspirants heeded what they were saying while on the platform.
Works Cited
Anson, Edward M. “The evolution of the Macedonian army assembly (330-315 BC).” Historia: Zeitschrift für Alte Geschichte H. 2 (1991): 230-247.
Lindsay, Hugh. “The” Laudatio Murdiae”: Its Content and Significance.” Latomus 63.Fasc. 1 (2004): 88-97.
Polo, Francisco Pina. “Procedures and Functions of Civil and Military Contiones in Rome.” Klio 77.1 (1995): 203-216.
Tan, James. “Contiones in the Age of Cicero.” Classical Antiquity 27.1 (2008): 163-201.