Publius Valerius Publicola
Encyclopedia
Publius Valerius Publicola (or Poplicola, his agnomen
meaning "friend of the people") (died 503 BC) was one of four Roman aristocrats who led the overthrow of the monarchy, and became a Roman consul
, the colleague of Lucius Junius Brutus
in 509 BC, traditionally considered the first year of the Roman Republic
. The authors of the Federalist Papers
used the pseudonym
"Publius", in honor of him.
and Plutarch
, Publius Valerius Publicola's family came from the Sabine
region. Under the Valerius
name, they had settled at Rome during the kingdom of Titus Tatius
(8th century BC) and worked for the peaceful unification of both regions.
Publius Valerius Publicola came from a wealthy family. His father was Valerius Volesus and his brother was Marcus Valerius Volusus
. He was married and Valeria was the name of his daughter. Before holding Roman public office, Publicola had defended the plebs
as a benefactor.
, Spurius Lucretius Tricipitinus
and Valerius, Lucius Junius Brutus
led the Roman revolution of 509 BC, ending the Roman monarchy and banishing the tyrannical King of Rome
, Lucius Tarquinius Superbus
. The Romans instituted the office of Consul
, founding the Roman Republic
. Brutus and Collatinus were voted as the first Consuls.
The Tarquins plotted with some disaffected Roman members of the Aquillii and Vitellii, who had benefitted from the deposed regime to assassinate both consuls. Publicola was informed of the plot by the slave Vindicius. Publicola investigated personally, sneaking into the Aquillius estate and finding incriminatory evidence. Using this evidence, both consuls headed a public trial. The conspirators, including Brutus' own children, were found guilty and executed. During the trial, Publicola had a leading role.
The deposed king, Tarquinius Superbus, whose family originated from Tarquinii in Etruria, garnered the support of that city and also of Veii
. The armies of the two cities followed Tarquin against Rome, and the Roman consuls Brutus and Valerius led the Roman army to meet them at the Battle of Silva Arsia
. Valerius commanded the Roman infantry. Brutus died during the battle, but the Romans were ultimately victorious. Valerius collected the spoils of the routed Etruscans, and returned to Rome to celebrate a triumph on 1 March 509 BC. Publicola celebrated at Rome, riding a four horse chariot
, which subsequently became a Roman tradition for celebrating victories. Also, he held a magnificent funeral for Brutus where he made a memorable speech.
Livy
writes that later in 509 BC Valerius returned to fight the Veientes. It is unclear whether this was was continuing from the Battle of Silva Arsia, or was some fresh dispute. It is also unclear what happened in this dispute.
, which was conspicuously visible from the Senate building. When people began to comment that he was apparently going to reestablish the monarchy, Publicola stopped its construction, demolishing it in a single night. Publicola defended himself before an assembly of the people, having firstly lowered the fasces
in the face of the assembly as a mark of respect: "I have just liberated Rome, bravely, but now I am slandered, like being either an Aquillius or a Vitellian. I am the bitterest enemy of the former kings, so I shouldn't be accused of wanting to be king." He volunteered to move his house to the foot rather than the peak of the Velian Hill, so as to diminish any suspicion levelled against him. His house was constructed at that site, where in later times was built the Temple of Victory
.
Before the impending elections, Publicola repopulated the Senate, which had been severely reduced by the king and the recent war. Also, he wrote a series of popular laws:
Publicola removed the ax heads of the traditional fasces
as carried in the Pomerium
, the sacred inner city of Rome. Because of these, Publicus Valerius was called the "friend of the people", or Publicola.
was chosen as consul suffectus. He died a few days later, and Marcus Horatius Pulvillus
was elected in his place. In 508 BC and 504 BC his consular colleague was Titus Lucretius Tricipitinus
. Marcus Horatius Pulvillus was his colleague again in 507 BC.
, the king of Clusium
, attacked Rome at the behest of Tarquinius Superbus. According to Plutarch, both Publicola and his fellow Consul Titus Lucretius were severely wounded in battle.
During the siege, Publicola executed a successful sally, defeating a Clusian raiding party.
According to Plutarch, Valerius negotiated a peace treaty with Porsena which ended the war. He surrendered hostages, including his daughter Valeria, and Porsena protected these hostages from the Tarquinii.
.
In 505 BC, the Latin League
and the Sabines threatened Rome with a large army. Although diplomatic negotiations were halted, Publicola meddled in the inner politics of the Sabines by assisting Attius Clausus
. With Publicola's help, he moved into Rome with 5,000 Sabines. He was made a citizen with the name Appius Claudius, and made founder of the Claudii
. When the Sabines attempted to besiege Rome, Publicola successfully commanded the army, anticipating their movements and thwarting their plans. Then he invaded and conquered the Sabine nation.
. He had little money, so, by decree, each citizen contributed a Quadrans
for the funeral. The remains of Publicola were buried within Rome, at the Velian Hill
. His death was mourned by the Romans for an entire year. After Publicola, all noted members of the Valerius family were buried near the same spot.
s promoting the adoption of the United States Constitution
, written 1787–1788 by Alexander Hamilton
, John Jay
, and James Madison
(collectively referred to as the Federalist Papers
), the three statesmen used the allonym "Publius" in honor of Publicola's role in establishing the Roman Republic
.
Agnomen
An agnomen , in the Roman naming convention, was a nickname, just as the cognomen was initially. However, the cognomina eventually became family names, so agnomina were needed to distinguish between similarly named persons...
meaning "friend of the people") (died 503 BC) was one of four Roman aristocrats who led the overthrow of the monarchy, and became a Roman consul
Consul
Consul was the highest elected office of the Roman Republic and an appointive office under the Empire. The title was also used in other city states and also revived in modern states, notably in the First French Republic...
, the colleague of Lucius Junius Brutus
Lucius Junius Brutus
Lucius Junius Brutus was the founder of the Roman Republic and traditionally one of the first consuls in 509 BC. He was claimed as an ancestor of the Roman gens Junia, including Marcus Junius Brutus, the most famous of Caesar's assassins.- Background :...
in 509 BC, traditionally considered the first year of the Roman Republic
Roman Republic
The Roman Republic was the period of the ancient Roman civilization where the government operated as a republic. It began with the overthrow of the Roman monarchy, traditionally dated around 508 BC, and its replacement by a government headed by two consuls, elected annually by the citizens and...
. The authors of the Federalist Papers
Federalist Papers
The Federalist Papers are a series of 85 articles or essays promoting the ratification of the United States Constitution. Seventy-seven of the essays were published serially in The Independent Journal and The New York Packet between October 1787 and August 1788...
used the pseudonym
Pseudonym
A pseudonym is a name that a person assumes for a particular purpose and that differs from his or her original orthonym...
"Publius", in honor of him.
Early life
According to LivyLivy
Titus Livius — known as Livy in English — was a Roman historian who wrote a monumental history of Rome and the Roman people. Ab Urbe Condita Libri, "Chapters from the Foundation of the City," covering the period from the earliest legends of Rome well before the traditional foundation in 753 BC...
and Plutarch
Plutarch
Plutarch then named, on his becoming a Roman citizen, Lucius Mestrius Plutarchus , c. 46 – 120 AD, was a Greek historian, biographer, essayist, and Middle Platonist known primarily for his Parallel Lives and Moralia...
, Publius Valerius Publicola's family came from the Sabine
Sabine
The Sabines were an Italic tribe that lived in the central Appennines of ancient Italy, also inhabiting Latium north of the Anio before the founding of Rome...
region. Under the Valerius
Valerius
Valerius is the nomen of gens Valeria, one of the oldest patrician families of Rome. The name was in use throughout Roman history...
name, they had settled at Rome during the kingdom of Titus Tatius
Titus Tatius
The traditions of ancient Rome held that Titus Tatius was the Sabine king of Cures, who, after the rape of the Sabine women, attacked Rome and captured the Capitol with the treachery of Tarpeia. The Sabine women, however, convinced Tatius and the Roman king, Romulus, to reconcile and subsequently...
(8th century BC) and worked for the peaceful unification of both regions.
Publius Valerius Publicola came from a wealthy family. His father was Valerius Volesus and his brother was Marcus Valerius Volusus
Marcus Valerius Volusus
Marcus Valerius Volusus was a Roman consul with Publius Postumius Tubertus in 505 BC....
. He was married and Valeria was the name of his daughter. Before holding Roman public office, Publicola had defended the plebs
Plebs
The plebs was the general body of free land-owning Roman citizens in Ancient Rome. They were distinct from the higher order of the patricians. A member of the plebs was known as a plebeian...
as a benefactor.
The revolution
With Lucius Tarquinius CollatinusLucius Tarquinius Collatinus
Lucius Tarquinius Collatinus was one of the four leaders of the revolution which overthrew the Roman monarchy, and became one of the first two consuls of Rome in 509 BC, together with Lucius Junius Brutus...
, Spurius Lucretius Tricipitinus
Spurius Lucretius Tricipitinus
Spurius Lucretius Tricipitinus is a semi-legendary figure in early Roman history. He was the first Suffect Consul of Rome and was also the father of Lucretia, whose rape by Sextus Tarquinius, followed by her suicide, resulted in the dethronement of King Lucius Tarquinius Superbus, therefore...
and Valerius, Lucius Junius Brutus
Lucius Junius Brutus
Lucius Junius Brutus was the founder of the Roman Republic and traditionally one of the first consuls in 509 BC. He was claimed as an ancestor of the Roman gens Junia, including Marcus Junius Brutus, the most famous of Caesar's assassins.- Background :...
led the Roman revolution of 509 BC, ending the Roman monarchy and banishing the tyrannical King of Rome
King of Rome
The King of Rome was the chief magistrate of the Roman Kingdom. According to legend, the first king of Rome was Romulus, who founded the city in 753 BC upon the Palatine Hill. Seven legendary kings are said to have ruled Rome until 509 BC, when the last king was overthrown. These kings ruled for...
, Lucius Tarquinius Superbus
Lucius Tarquinius Superbus
Lucius Tarquinius Superbus was the legendary seventh and final King of Rome, reigning from 535 BC until the popular uprising in 509 BC that led to the establishment of the Roman Republic. He is more commonly known by his cognomen Tarquinius Superbus and was a member of the so-called Etruscan...
. The Romans instituted the office of Consul
Roman consul
A consul served in the highest elected political office of the Roman Republic.Each year, two consuls were elected together, to serve for a one-year term. Each consul was given veto power over his colleague and the officials would alternate each month...
, founding the Roman Republic
Roman Republic
The Roman Republic was the period of the ancient Roman civilization where the government operated as a republic. It began with the overthrow of the Roman monarchy, traditionally dated around 508 BC, and its replacement by a government headed by two consuls, elected annually by the citizens and...
. Brutus and Collatinus were voted as the first Consuls.
The Tarquins plotted with some disaffected Roman members of the Aquillii and Vitellii, who had benefitted from the deposed regime to assassinate both consuls. Publicola was informed of the plot by the slave Vindicius. Publicola investigated personally, sneaking into the Aquillius estate and finding incriminatory evidence. Using this evidence, both consuls headed a public trial. The conspirators, including Brutus' own children, were found guilty and executed. During the trial, Publicola had a leading role.
Election as consul, and battle of Silva Arsia, 509 BC
Collatinus worked with Tarquinius Superbus' relatives to restore their properties. After the failed conspiracy, Collatinus was denounced and left Rome, resigning his office of consul. Valerius was elected to replace him.| "They annex strange incidents to this battle, --that in the silence of the next night a loud voice was emitted from the Arsian wood; that it was believed to be the voice of Silvanus Silvanus (mythology) Silvanus was a Roman tutelary deity of woods and fields. As protector of forests , he especially presided over plantations and delighted in trees growing wild. He is also described as a god watching over the fields and husbandmen, protecting in particular the boundaries of fields... : these words were spoken, "that more of the Etrurians Etruscan civilization Etruscan civilization is the modern English name given to a civilization of ancient Italy in the area corresponding roughly to Tuscany. The ancient Romans called its creators the Tusci or Etrusci... by one had fallen in the battle; that the Roman was victorious in the war." Certainly the Romans departed thence as victors, the Etrurians as vanquished." |
| The History of Rome. Book 02. Chapter 7, by Titus Livius. |
The deposed king, Tarquinius Superbus, whose family originated from Tarquinii in Etruria, garnered the support of that city and also of Veii
Veii
Veii was, in ancient times, an important Etrurian city NNW of Rome, Italy; its site lies in Isola Farnese, a village of Municipio XX, an administrative subdivision of the comune of Rome in the Province of Rome...
. The armies of the two cities followed Tarquin against Rome, and the Roman consuls Brutus and Valerius led the Roman army to meet them at the Battle of Silva Arsia
Battle of Silva Arsia
The Battle of Silva Arsia was a battle in 509 BC between the republican forces of ancient Rome on the one hand, and Etruscan forces of Tarquinii and Veii led by the deposed Roman king Lucius Tarquinius Superbus on the other...
. Valerius commanded the Roman infantry. Brutus died during the battle, but the Romans were ultimately victorious. Valerius collected the spoils of the routed Etruscans, and returned to Rome to celebrate a triumph on 1 March 509 BC. Publicola celebrated at Rome, riding a four horse chariot
Chariot
The chariot is a type of horse carriage used in both peace and war as the chief vehicle of many ancient peoples. Ox carts, proto-chariots, were built by the Proto-Indo-Europeans and also built in Mesopotamia as early as 3000 BC. The original horse chariot was a fast, light, open, two wheeled...
, which subsequently became a Roman tradition for celebrating victories. Also, he held a magnificent funeral for Brutus where he made a memorable speech.
Livy
Livy
Titus Livius — known as Livy in English — was a Roman historian who wrote a monumental history of Rome and the Roman people. Ab Urbe Condita Libri, "Chapters from the Foundation of the City," covering the period from the earliest legends of Rome well before the traditional foundation in 753 BC...
writes that later in 509 BC Valerius returned to fight the Veientes. It is unclear whether this was was continuing from the Battle of Silva Arsia, or was some fresh dispute. It is also unclear what happened in this dispute.
Reforms during first consulship, 509 BC
After the death of Brutus, Publius Valerius Publicola was the lone Roman Consul, which he held without scheduling new elections. He started to build a magnificent new residence on top of the Velian HillVelian Hill
The Velia — or Velian Hill or Velian Ridge — is a saddle or spur stretching out from the middle of the north side of the Palatine Hill towards the Oppian Hill ....
, which was conspicuously visible from the Senate building. When people began to comment that he was apparently going to reestablish the monarchy, Publicola stopped its construction, demolishing it in a single night. Publicola defended himself before an assembly of the people, having firstly lowered the fasces
Fasces
Fasces are a bundle of wooden sticks with an axe blade emerging from the center, which is an image that traditionally symbolizes summary power and jurisdiction, and/or "strength through unity"...
in the face of the assembly as a mark of respect: "I have just liberated Rome, bravely, but now I am slandered, like being either an Aquillius or a Vitellian. I am the bitterest enemy of the former kings, so I shouldn't be accused of wanting to be king." He volunteered to move his house to the foot rather than the peak of the Velian Hill, so as to diminish any suspicion levelled against him. His house was constructed at that site, where in later times was built the Temple of Victory
Temple of Victory
The Temple of Victory is a temple on the Palatine Hill in Rome. It is traditionally ascribed to Evander, but was actually built by Lucius Postumius Megellus out of fines he levied during his aedileship and dedicated by him on 1st August when consul in 294 B.C...
.
Before the impending elections, Publicola repopulated the Senate, which had been severely reduced by the king and the recent war. Also, he wrote a series of popular laws:
- Any Roman could be appointed Consul.
- Decisions of the Consuls could be appealed.
- Anyone who seized an office without popular vote would suffer execution.
- Anyone who attempted to reestablish the monarchy could be executed by any citizen without trial. (This was the law invoked by the Liberatores as justification for their assassination of Julius CaesarJulius CaesarGaius Julius Caesar was a Roman general and statesman and a distinguished writer of Latin prose. He played a critical role in the gradual transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire....
) - Needy Romans were exempt from taxation.
- Patricians would be punished more severely than plebs for disobeying a Consul.
- Control of the treasuryTreasuryA treasury is either*A government department related to finance and taxation.*A place where currency or precious items is/are kept....
was removed from the Consuls. It was physically moved to the temple of SaturnSaturn (mythology)In ancient Roman religion and myth, Saturn was a major god presiding over agriculture and the harvest time. His reign was depicted as a Golden Age of abundance and peace by many Roman authors. In medieval times he was known as the Roman god of agriculture, justice and strength. He held a sickle in...
under the administration of appointed quaestors.
Publicola removed the ax heads of the traditional fasces
Fasces
Fasces are a bundle of wooden sticks with an axe blade emerging from the center, which is an image that traditionally symbolizes summary power and jurisdiction, and/or "strength through unity"...
as carried in the Pomerium
Pomerium
The pomerium or pomoerium , was the sacred boundary of the city of Rome. In legal terms, Rome existed only within the pomerium; everything beyond it was simply territory belonging to Rome.-Location and extensions:Tradition maintained that it was the original line ploughed by Romulus around the...
, the sacred inner city of Rome. Because of these, Publicus Valerius was called the "friend of the people", or Publicola.
Four consulships
Publius Valerius Publicola was elected Roman Consul in 509 BC, 508 BC, 507 BC, and 504 BC. In 509 BC he held elections after the death of Brutus, and Spurius Lucretius TricipitinusSpurius Lucretius Tricipitinus
Spurius Lucretius Tricipitinus is a semi-legendary figure in early Roman history. He was the first Suffect Consul of Rome and was also the father of Lucretia, whose rape by Sextus Tarquinius, followed by her suicide, resulted in the dethronement of King Lucius Tarquinius Superbus, therefore...
was chosen as consul suffectus. He died a few days later, and Marcus Horatius Pulvillus
Marcus Horatius Pulvillus
Marcus Horatius Pulvillus was a figure in Ancient Rome at the time of the overthrow of the Roman monarchy. He was consul in 509 BC and again in 507 BC.-Biography:...
was elected in his place. In 508 BC and 504 BC his consular colleague was Titus Lucretius Tricipitinus
Titus Lucretius Tricipitinus
Titus Lucretius Tricipitinus is a figure of the Roman Republic. Twice, in the years 508 and 504 BC, he was Roman Consul, both times with Publius Valerius Poplicola...
. Marcus Horatius Pulvillus was his colleague again in 507 BC.
War with Clusium
In 508 BC, Lars PorsenaLars Porsena
Lars Porsena, in Etruscan Pursenas, was an Etruscan king known for his war against the city of Rome. He ruled over the city of Clusium...
, the king of Clusium
Clusium
Clusium was an ancient city in Italy, one of several found at the site. The current municipality of Chiusi partly overlaps this Roman walled city. The Roman city remodeled an earlier Etruscan city, Clevsin, found in the territory of a prehistoric culture, possibly also Etruscan or proto-Etruscan...
, attacked Rome at the behest of Tarquinius Superbus. According to Plutarch, both Publicola and his fellow Consul Titus Lucretius were severely wounded in battle.
During the siege, Publicola executed a successful sally, defeating a Clusian raiding party.
According to Plutarch, Valerius negotiated a peace treaty with Porsena which ended the war. He surrendered hostages, including his daughter Valeria, and Porsena protected these hostages from the Tarquinii.
War with the Sabines
In 506 BC, the Sabines attacked Rome. While his brother Marcus was Consul, Publicola participated in two Roman victories which repelled the invasion. The people rewarded Publicola with a house on the Palatine HillPalatine Hill
The Palatine Hill is the centermost of the Seven Hills of Rome and is one of the most ancient parts of the city...
.
In 505 BC, the Latin League
Latin league
The Latin League was a confederation of about 30 villages and tribes in the region of Latium near ancient Rome, organized for mutual defense...
and the Sabines threatened Rome with a large army. Although diplomatic negotiations were halted, Publicola meddled in the inner politics of the Sabines by assisting Attius Clausus
Appius Claudius Sabinus Inregillensis
Appius Claudius Sabinus Inregillensis or Regillensis was the semi-legendary founder of the Roman gens Claudia.He was born Attius Clausus, Atta Claudius, Titus Claudius or a lost original name from which the other versions derive. To the Romans he was known as Appius Claudius. He was a Sabine from...
. With Publicola's help, he moved into Rome with 5,000 Sabines. He was made a citizen with the name Appius Claudius, and made founder of the Claudii
Claudius (gens)
The gens Claudia, sometimes written Clodia, was one of the most prominent patrician houses at Rome. The gens traced its origin to the earliest days of the Roman Republic...
. When the Sabines attempted to besiege Rome, Publicola successfully commanded the army, anticipating their movements and thwarting their plans. Then he invaded and conquered the Sabine nation.
Death
Publius Valerius Publicola died in 503 BC, shortly after passing the consular office to his successors, Agrippa Menenius Lanatus and Publius Postumius TubertusPublius Postumius Tubertus
Publius Postumius Tubertus, the son of Quintus, was the first of the patrician gens Postumia to obtain the consulship, which he held in 505 BC, the fifth year of the Roman Republic. Together with his colleague, Marcus Valerius Volusus, he fought against the Sabines, whom they defeated decisively...
. He had little money, so, by decree, each citizen contributed a Quadrans
Quadrans
The quadrans was a low-value Roman bronze coin worth one quarter of an as. The quadrans was issued from the beginning of cast bronze coins during the Roman Republic with three pellets representing three unciae as a mark of value...
for the funeral. The remains of Publicola were buried within Rome, at the Velian Hill
Velian Hill
The Velia — or Velian Hill or Velian Ridge — is a saddle or spur stretching out from the middle of the north side of the Palatine Hill towards the Oppian Hill ....
. His death was mourned by the Romans for an entire year. After Publicola, all noted members of the Valerius family were buried near the same spot.
Legacy
In a collection of 85 essayEssay
An essay is a piece of writing which is often written from an author's personal point of view. Essays can consist of a number of elements, including: literary criticism, political manifestos, learned arguments, observations of daily life, recollections, and reflections of the author. The definition...
s promoting the adoption of the United States Constitution
United States Constitution
The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. It is the framework for the organization of the United States government and for the relationship of the federal government with the states, citizens, and all people within the United States.The first three...
, written 1787–1788 by Alexander Hamilton
Alexander Hamilton
Alexander Hamilton was a Founding Father, soldier, economist, political philosopher, one of America's first constitutional lawyers and the first United States Secretary of the Treasury...
, John Jay
John Jay
John Jay was an American politician, statesman, revolutionary, diplomat, a Founding Father of the United States, and the first Chief Justice of the United States ....
, and James Madison
James Madison
James Madison, Jr. was an American statesman and political theorist. He was the fourth President of the United States and is hailed as the “Father of the Constitution” for being the primary author of the United States Constitution and at first an opponent of, and then a key author of the United...
(collectively referred to as the Federalist Papers
Federalist Papers
The Federalist Papers are a series of 85 articles or essays promoting the ratification of the United States Constitution. Seventy-seven of the essays were published serially in The Independent Journal and The New York Packet between October 1787 and August 1788...
), the three statesmen used the allonym "Publius" in honor of Publicola's role in establishing the Roman Republic
Roman Republic
The Roman Republic was the period of the ancient Roman civilization where the government operated as a republic. It began with the overthrow of the Roman monarchy, traditionally dated around 508 BC, and its replacement by a government headed by two consuls, elected annually by the citizens and...
.
External links
- Plutarch, The Lives of the Noble Grecians and Romans, paired with Solon, in "Poplicola"
- Biography of Poplicola, in About.comAbout.comAbout.com is an online source for original information and advice. It is written in English, and is aimed primarily at North Americans. It is owned by The New York Times Company....
- Livius.org: Publius Valerius Publicola