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The Corrupted Speak

  • Cristina Rosillo-López
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Corruption in the Graeco-Roman World
This chapter is in the book Corruption in the Graeco-Roman World

Abstract

This paper explores the role of conversations in corruption during the late Roman republic. Chats among candidates, officials and agents were pivotal in these corrupt practices, involving negotiations and strategies to advance their interests. The study aims to identify conversational patterns and analyze preserved dialogues to understand the language and strategies used, revealing that candidates’ involvement with bribery agents (divisores and sequestres) was essential for bribery. These discussions, often held in private residences, frequently employed ambiguous language, allowing participants to navigate corrupt dealings with plausible deniability. This research offers valuable insights into the power dynamics, language, and corrupt practices of late republican Rome, enhancing our understanding of its political complexities.

Abstract

This paper explores the role of conversations in corruption during the late Roman republic. Chats among candidates, officials and agents were pivotal in these corrupt practices, involving negotiations and strategies to advance their interests. The study aims to identify conversational patterns and analyze preserved dialogues to understand the language and strategies used, revealing that candidates’ involvement with bribery agents (divisores and sequestres) was essential for bribery. These discussions, often held in private residences, frequently employed ambiguous language, allowing participants to navigate corrupt dealings with plausible deniability. This research offers valuable insights into the power dynamics, language, and corrupt practices of late republican Rome, enhancing our understanding of its political complexities.

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Contents V
  3. Preface VII
  4. Part 1: The Discourse(s) of and on Corruption
  5. Twisted Transfers as Corruption 1
  6. The Corrupted Speak 47
  7. Civil War and the Corruption of liberalitas in Tacitus’ Histories 65
  8. Irreversible Corruption 83
  9. Part 2: Corruption in Social Practice and Daily Life
  10. Creating Evidence for Corruption 111
  11. Corruption in Greco-Roman Egypt 129
  12. Ideas of Corruption in Roman Imperial Ports 145
  13. Suspect Inheritances 167
  14. Salvian and the Corrupted Church of Southern Gaul 199
  15. Part 3: The Politics and Diplomacy of Corruption
  16. Corruption and Anti-Corruption 223
  17. Beyond Crime 257
  18. Usurpation of (and Corruption Involving) the Right of Roman Citizenship in the Republic 287
  19. Balkan Promises 307
  20. Index 335
https://doi.org/10.1515/9783111339962-003

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Contents V
  3. Preface VII
  4. Part 1: The Discourse(s) of and on Corruption
  5. Twisted Transfers as Corruption 1
  6. The Corrupted Speak 47
  7. Civil War and the Corruption of liberalitas in Tacitus’ Histories 65
  8. Irreversible Corruption 83
  9. Part 2: Corruption in Social Practice and Daily Life
  10. Creating Evidence for Corruption 111
  11. Corruption in Greco-Roman Egypt 129
  12. Ideas of Corruption in Roman Imperial Ports 145
  13. Suspect Inheritances 167
  14. Salvian and the Corrupted Church of Southern Gaul 199
  15. Part 3: The Politics and Diplomacy of Corruption
  16. Corruption and Anti-Corruption 223
  17. Beyond Crime 257
  18. Usurpation of (and Corruption Involving) the Right of Roman Citizenship in the Republic 287
  19. Balkan Promises 307
  20. Index 335
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