Roman Civilization

CMS 206 /History 206

• Origins, Nature and Requirements
  • The Triumph was a religious ceremony of Etruscan origin. It was the highest honor a military commander could receive.
  • In order to receive a triumph, a Roman general
    • had to possess imperium [the enforcement of this rule grew lax over time]
    • Had to be the decisive victor (at least 5,000 killed) over a foreign enemy [which is why Crssus had no joy from defeating Spartacus].
    • Some say that the Roman troops had to hail the general as imperator in the field.
    • The general had to bring at least a token army back to Rome.
    • The Senate had to vote to grant the general a triumph (which entailed permitting him to keep his imperium inside the pomerium for a day).
  • The triumphator, on the day of his triumph, came as close to divinity as Roman mortal could.
• Proceedings
  • The triumphal parade proceeded the triumphator from the Campus Martius through the streets of Rome, to the temple of Jupiter Capitolinus on the Capitoline Hill.
  • The parade included the general's soldiers, often carrying placards with slogans descibing the general (e.g. Caesar's troops carried placards which bore the words: Veni, Vidi, Vici) or showing maps of the territories he conquered. Other soldiers led carts containing booty that would be turned over to Rome's treasury. A section of the parade included prisoners, often the leaders of the defeated cities or countries, sometimes with their children, bound in chains. Another section of the parade included the animals that would be sacrificed in thanks for the victory.
  • Traditionally, the triumphator ordered the execution of at least one the prisoners of war (and then in a show of magnaminity, spared the others - who were sold into slavery).
  • The triumphator, in a golden chariot, wearing a tunica covered in palm leaves, under an embroidered, purple toga, with his face painted red. He was accompanied by a slave who stood behind him in the chariot, holding a golden crown over his head, whispering in his ears, "remember, you are mortal." When the procession reached the Capitoline, after dispatching the requisite number of prisoners of war, the triumphator offered sacrifice to Jupiter and then dismissed his troops. The day concluded with feasts throughout the city (usually at the triumphator's expense) to which virtually every citizen was invited.
• Triumphs & Politics
  • We have records of about 100 triumphs being held in Rome between 220 and 70 B.C.E. What does this tell us about Rome's activities during this period?
  • Triumphs became jealously sought after prizes during the period when the Republic began to fall? Why?
  • After Augustus established the Principate, he would only permit triumphs to be celebrated by members of his family. Why?
  • Triumphatores would often erect triumphal arches to memorialize their victories and triumphs (e.g., Titus and Constantine). Why?
  • How are the social practices of the triumph and the funeral similar and different?

Triumphal arch of Titus; Triumphal arch of Constantine

Temple of Jupiter Capitolinus in Ostia

Description of Capitoline Hill; See, also: OAG: 229-241

The Triumph of Aemilius Paulus (Plut. Aemilius Paulus, 32-34)