The Corrupted Speak
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Cristina Rosillo-López
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.
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- Preface VII
-
Part 1: The Discourse(s) of and on Corruption
- Twisted Transfers as Corruption 1
- The Corrupted Speak 47
- Civil War and the Corruption of liberalitas in Tacitus’ Histories 65
- Irreversible Corruption 83
-
Part 2: Corruption in Social Practice and Daily Life
- Creating Evidence for Corruption 111
- Corruption in Greco-Roman Egypt 129
- Ideas of Corruption in Roman Imperial Ports 145
- Suspect Inheritances 167
- Salvian and the Corrupted Church of Southern Gaul 199
-
Part 3: The Politics and Diplomacy of Corruption
- Corruption and Anti-Corruption 223
- Beyond Crime 257
- Usurpation of (and Corruption Involving) the Right of Roman Citizenship in the Republic 287
- Balkan Promises 307
- Index 335
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- Preface VII
-
Part 1: The Discourse(s) of and on Corruption
- Twisted Transfers as Corruption 1
- The Corrupted Speak 47
- Civil War and the Corruption of liberalitas in Tacitus’ Histories 65
- Irreversible Corruption 83
-
Part 2: Corruption in Social Practice and Daily Life
- Creating Evidence for Corruption 111
- Corruption in Greco-Roman Egypt 129
- Ideas of Corruption in Roman Imperial Ports 145
- Suspect Inheritances 167
- Salvian and the Corrupted Church of Southern Gaul 199
-
Part 3: The Politics and Diplomacy of Corruption
- Corruption and Anti-Corruption 223
- Beyond Crime 257
- Usurpation of (and Corruption Involving) the Right of Roman Citizenship in the Republic 287
- Balkan Promises 307
- Index 335
