INSTITUTIONS OF GOVERNMENT IN I, CLAUDIUS

15 FEBRUARY 2013
DOUG ROBERTS
HUM2937-05





I. A BRIEF HISTORY OF ROMAN GOVERNMENT
Prior to the Empires formation, the Roman civilization was ruled by a series of
kings, beginning with Romulus, one of the legendary founders of Rome. Though these
monarchies convened a Senate, most of the authority and powers of state were vested in
the king himself.
1
According to Livy, the monarchy was overthrown around 509 BCE in
favor of a republican form of government, led by two consuls that were elected by the
Roman citizens. The Senate remained as institution of government, and had much more
authority than in the earlier period.
2

Indeed, the Roman Republic was unique in its determination that the ultimate
powers of the state were vested in the people rather than in a principal figure. Except in
times of emergency, elected officials could only serve for one year to preserve the
integrity of the government, and many matters were handled by local and provincial
governments rather than a central one. This concept is especially important in the I,
Claudius series because fears of republican sentiment--that is, a return to citizen
governance-- drives conflict among major characters.
3

The Republic lasted for several centuries, growing both in size and power, until
the chaos following the assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 BCE.
1
It was in this time that
Juliuss adopted son, Octavian, emerged as a military leader, and would eventually be
granted the title of Augustus, affirming his rule as emperor in 27 BCE.
4
This new form
of government merged various Republican offices into the Emperors command, but the
empire itself retained some of the institutions of the earlier period, including the Senate
and use of magistrates to control cities and territories. However, the Emperor had
absolute control over the Senate, therefore it lost its station as the chief legislative and
governing institution, and instead became an advisory body to the Emperor and a
vehicle through which he could support his agenda.
2. DEPICTIONS OF GOVERNMENT IN I, CLAUDIUS
In many respects the BBC series does an effective job in portraying government
functions. Augustus is shown as an extremely powerful and noble ruler. Though he
refuses to be worshipped, Augustus possesses the role as the chief religious
administrator, having the final say on deifications and dedications.
3
This is consistent
with ancient history, as the Roman Emperor served as pontifex maximus (greatest
pontiff).
1 3
Further, the Emperors in the series act as the ultimate decision-maker in all
foreign policy and military matters, which was also a duty assumed by the Roman
emperor. The Senate, who had foreign policy power in the Republican period, became
merely an advisory body, and there are multiple lines in the series when Augustus is told
to consult the Senate, but he is never forced to follow their commands in this area and
has the ability to ignore thier decrees altogether. Overall, the BBC has done a masterful
job in demonstrating the power and majesty of the Emperor in I, Claudius.
Another important act of governance was the throwing of games sponsored by
the State. At these large venues, the general public could express their approval or
disapproval of the emperor, as well as celebrate (or mourn) a specific occasion.
4
There
are at least two games thrown in I, Claudius. First, those that celebrate the ascension of
Marcellus to the role as magistrate of Rome. Indeed there is evidence from antiquity to
support this scene. Dio Cassius writes Marcellus . . . [made] a brilliant success of the
festival which he gave as aedile . . .
5
(aedile being a form of magistrate).
6
Games are
also thrown to mourn the death of Drusus, and again the series shows the crowd
collectively cheering Augustus when he appears, which demonstrates the station of these
events as an opportunity for the public to express their opinion of the Emperor.
Perhaps the most extensive view of government in the series is the Senate trial of
Piso regarding the death of Germanicus.
3
History shows that the act of trying a person in
the senate, especially for a capital offense, was not unusual

and that the Emperor would
preside as judge over cases of several public interest, as is the case with Tiberius in I,
Claudius.
1 3
Suetonius and Tacitus both indicate that this trial was actually held, though
besides giving a grand speech at the opening of the trial, history is not perfectly clear if
Tiberius actually sat in judgement of Piso. Despite having little power relative to the
emperor, history shows that consuls still sat in head of the senate, though they do not
appear to be present in the series.
6
Further, there seems to be a lack of structured
procedure in the senate scenes, with individual senators speaking out of turn and
interrupting the trial, despite some evidence that even modest parliamentary
procedures were in place to maintain order.
Still, the strongest function of government in both Roman history and in I,
Claudius is the Roman military. In the BBC series, the army is shown to be a ubiquitous
force that is used to govern the outlying territories. Quite often, Augustus sends
characters out in military processions to various regions. The primary function of the
Imperial army was to keep the peace, and such trips were meant to reaffirm the might of
the Empire.




















Endnotes
1. Abbott, Frank. A History and Description of Roman Political Institutions. 1901.
Print.
2. Livy, translated by Valerie M. Warrior, The History of Rome. 2006. Print.
3. I, Claudius. BBC. 1976. Television.
4. Eck, Werner. The Cambridge Ancient History (Volume 11). 2000. Print.
5. Dio Cassius. Roman History, Book LIII. University of Chicago. Web.
6. The Oxford Classical Dictionary.
7. Suetonius. The Twelve Caesars, Life of Tiberius.
8. Tacitus. Annals.