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Deep Abyss and Bottom of Despair

in Monstrous Adversary: The Life of Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford

This chapter presents a July 1600 letter by Oxford to Cecil, seeking his assistance in securing the governorship of the Isle of Jersey. It also presents a letter to old Henry Norris, who was about to ... More

This chapter presents a July 1600 letter by Oxford to Cecil, seeking his assistance in securing the governorship of the Isle of Jersey. It also presents a letter to old Henry Norris, who was about to dispark his lands, thus depriving Francis and Bridget of an inheritance. The old man was not, however, long for this world, and died on 27 June 1601, whereupon Francis Norris succeeded to the Barony.Less

Ciceronian Sicily: an archaeological perspective

R.J. A. Wilson

in Sicily from Aeneas to Augustus: New Approaches in Archaeology and History

Of all the political speeches delivered by Marcus Tullius Cicero, it was his Orationes in Caium Verrem that marked an important turning point in the orator's career. His prosecution of Gaius Verres ... More

Of all the political speeches delivered by Marcus Tullius Cicero, it was his Orationes in Caium Verrem that marked an important turning point in the orator's career. His prosecution of Gaius Verres after the latter's turbulent governorship of Sicily was significant not because of Verre's outrageous behaviour as such, but because its triumphant success marked Cicero as the most brilliant of the younger advocates of his day. Thus, it is from Cicero that this chapter learns that a version of the Hieronian tithe system continued to function in Sicily. Such has been the explosion of archaeological research in Sicily since the late 1970s. The chapter sets the picture of first-century bc Sicily in its wider archaeological context: its urbanism, the state and towns around the time of Verres' governorship.Less

Commentary

T. N. Mitchell

in Cicero: Verrines II.I

This chapter offers commentary on Cicero's Verrines II, Book 1. It begins with the prefatory review of the importance of the case and the villainy of the accused, Caius Verres, joined to reassertions ... More

This chapter offers commentary on Cicero's Verrines II, Book 1. It begins with the prefatory review of the importance of the case and the villainy of the accused, Caius Verres, joined to reassertions of Cicero's aims and resolve and of the consequences for the senatorial order of an unjust acquittal. Cicero constantly harps on the theme throughout the Verrines that the Roman people are awaiting definite proof of the integrity of senatorial juries, and he presents the case of Verres as a golden opportunity for the jury of senators to vindicate their order and stave off the impending threat to the senate's monopoly of the courts. The chapter then looks at the accusatio perpetua, the detailed, continuous exposition of Verres' crimes from the beginning of his public life through his governorship of Sicily. The present speech traces the catalogue of misdeeds to the end of Verres' praetorship in 74. It is a noteworthy aspect of Roman criminal procedure that a prosecutor was entitled to lay before the court all violations of the law in question that the defendant could be alleged to have committed at any period in his life, and that the jury could convict if they believed any one of the allegations.Less

Britain’s capital? (c. AD 80–90)

Dominic Perring

in London in the Roman World

This chapter describes London’s later Flavian architectural development, elements of which may have marked and celebrated the political maturity of the city. London’s first forum was probably built ... More

This chapter describes London’s later Flavian architectural development, elements of which may have marked and celebrated the political maturity of the city. London’s first forum was probably built around the time of Agricola’s long governorship of Britain. Circumstantial evidence suggests that this building was erected c. AD 79/80. It could have accompanied the grant of formal urban status and the creation of the institutions of local self-government, although this remains uncertain. The contents of a legal judgement inscribed on a writing tablet suggests that London did not hold autonomous status in AD 76. Other public buildings and works included large public baths, one probably built c. AD 84 that has alternatively been identified as part of the governor’s palace. London may have benefitted from the architectural patronage of the emperor Domitian, executed on his behalf by the procurator, intended to grace Britain’s capital city following the completion of the conquest of the British Isles.Less

“The State of Louisiana Now Has Her Voice”

Peter J. Kastor

in The Nation's Crucible: The Louisiana Purchase and the Creation of America

This chapter examines the events when Whites in Louisiana completed the process of constructing the legal, political, administrative, racial, and military structures of racial supremacy. In 1812, ... More

This chapter examines the events when Whites in Louisiana completed the process of constructing the legal, political, administrative, racial, and military structures of racial supremacy. In 1812, constitution writers in Louisiana began with the assumption that public officials needed considerable distance from their constituencies, and found their inspiration not in the new states of the American frontier, but in older polities. Delegates to the constitutional convention made their vision of the entire polity clear in their plan for the governorship, at no time more so than in their deliberations on 14 January 1812, as they searched for a middle ground between popular control and popular exclusion. The chapter reveals that the Louisiana constitution of 1812 promised to make Louisiana one of the least democratic states in the union.Less

The Raglan Era 1902–19

in Offshore Island Politics: The Constitutional and Political Development of the Isle of Man in the Twentieth Century

This chapter analyses the Raglan era from 1902 to 1919. The chapter specifically explores the governorship of Lord Raglan in the Isle of Man. His appointment as Lieutenant-Governor had co-occurred ... More

This chapter analyses the Raglan era from 1902 to 1919. The chapter specifically explores the governorship of Lord Raglan in the Isle of Man. His appointment as Lieutenant-Governor had co-occurred with the beginning of the campaign of House of Keys Constituency Boundaries for constitutional reform. This chapter offers an impetus to the cause of constitutional change. It also looks at Raglan's decision to resign. He immediately resigned after the end of the First World War as the Island was about to start a major programme of constitutional, electoral and social reform. From 1914 to 1919 the war led to radical change in the pattern of public spending. There was an increase in spending prior to the war and again by 1918/19.Less