Quintus Haterius
Encyclopedia
Though we do not know his place of birth, Quintus Haterius was born into a senatorial
family around 65 BC. This date is uncertain because we only know the approximate year of his death, and his approximate age at the time. Haterius was the father to consul
Decimus Haterius Agrippa
and grandfather to consul Quintus Haterius Antoninus
, and that through marriage he was related to the house of Augustus
. It has been speculated that his wife may have been a daughter of M. Vipsenius Agrippa.
He was a famous Populares
orator under the rule of Augustus, but his style of orating had been criticized by some. In Seneca
’s Epistle
, “On the Proper Style for a Philosopher’s Discourse,” he relates that the speech of a philosopher should be able to speak powerfully, yet still keep a steady pace. As an example, he uses Quintus Haterius who, “…never hesitated, never paused; he made only one start, and one stop.” Even the Emperor
Augustus
commented on his quick delivery, saying that his speech was so rapid that he needed a brake.
Examples of his oratory can be read in:
Chapters:
In his later life, Haterius was elected Consul Suffectus (the term used to denote the person who served the remainder of the regular consul’s term if he died or was thrown out) in 5 BC. By this time he was around 59 or 60 years old, yet he still continued to serve Rome
. Tacitus
speaks about Haterius many times in his Annals as being involved with the senate.
Haterius was also involved in putting restrictions on the luxury of the country. It was decided by the senate that solid gold vessels should not be used to serve food, and that it was disgraceful for men to wear silken clothes from the East.
As his age advanced, however, Haterius became less useful. In a senate meeting discussing how to honour the two princes of Tiberius
, Haterius brought forth a motion that all decrees passed that day should be erected in the Senate house in solid gold letters; he was laughed at as a fool. However, he still showed signs of his former greatness, such as when he challenged the soon to be Emperor Tiberius by saying, “How long, Caesar
, will you suffer the State to be without a head?” relating to the fact that he had not chosen to take control the Empire yet. It is known that afterwards, Haterius went to the royal palace to seek pardon from Tiberius. Upon arriving, he threw himself at the knees of Tiberius as he was walking, which caused the Emperor to trip over him. At this point he was nearly killed by Tiberius’ soldiers, but was saved by Augusta after going to her for help.
Quintus Haterius died around the year 26 AD at nearly ninety years old with the highest honours, yet an obituary written by Tacitus says that though he was famous for his speaking during his lifetime, that fame was now dying away and that, “While the research and labours of other authors are valued by an after age, the harmonious fluency of Haterius died with him.”
There was a tomb built by his ancestors Tomb of the Haterii, between 100-110.
Roman Senate
The Senate of the Roman Republic was a political institution in the ancient Roman Republic, however, it was not an elected body, but one whose members were appointed by the consuls, and later by the censors. After a magistrate served his term in office, it usually was followed with automatic...
family around 65 BC. This date is uncertain because we only know the approximate year of his death, and his approximate age at the time. Haterius was the father to 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...
Decimus Haterius Agrippa
Decimus Haterius Agrippa
Decimus or Didius Haterius Agrippa was the son of the orator and senator Quintus Haterius. He was tribune of the plebs in 15 and vetoed proposals; was praetor in 17, consul in 22, and later senator. Agrippa at one time strongly urged the emperor Tiberius to nominate a limited amount of political...
and grandfather to consul Quintus Haterius Antoninus
Quintus Haterius Antoninus
Quintus Haterius Antoninus or known as Antoninus was a Roman who lived in the 1st century. He was the only child to Domitia Lepida the Elder and consul Decimus Haterius Agrippa....
, and that through marriage he was related to the house of Augustus
Augustus
Augustus ;23 September 63 BC – 19 August AD 14) is considered the first emperor of the Roman Empire, which he ruled alone from 27 BC until his death in 14 AD.The dates of his rule are contemporary dates; Augustus lived under two calendars, the Roman Republican until 45 BC, and the Julian...
. It has been speculated that his wife may have been a daughter of M. Vipsenius Agrippa.
He was a famous Populares
Populares
Populares were aristocratic leaders in the late Roman Republic who relied on the people's assemblies and tribunate to acquire political power. They are regarded in modern scholarship as in opposition to the optimates, who are identified with the conservative interests of a senatorial elite...
orator under the rule of Augustus, but his style of orating had been criticized by some. In Seneca
Seneca the Younger
Lucius Annaeus Seneca was a Roman Stoic philosopher, statesman, dramatist, and in one work humorist, of the Silver Age of Latin literature. He was tutor and later advisor to emperor Nero...
’s Epistle
Epistle
An epistle is a writing directed or sent to a person or group of people, usually an elegant and formal didactic letter. The epistle genre of letter-writing was common in ancient Egypt as part of the scribal-school writing curriculum. The letters in the New Testament from Apostles to Christians...
, “On the Proper Style for a Philosopher’s Discourse,” he relates that the speech of a philosopher should be able to speak powerfully, yet still keep a steady pace. As an example, he uses Quintus Haterius who, “…never hesitated, never paused; he made only one start, and one stop.” Even the Emperor
Roman Emperor
The Roman emperor was the ruler of the Roman State during the imperial period . The Romans had no single term for the office although at any given time, a given title was associated with the emperor...
Augustus
Augustus
Augustus ;23 September 63 BC – 19 August AD 14) is considered the first emperor of the Roman Empire, which he ruled alone from 27 BC until his death in 14 AD.The dates of his rule are contemporary dates; Augustus lived under two calendars, the Roman Republican until 45 BC, and the Julian...
commented on his quick delivery, saying that his speech was so rapid that he needed a brake.
Examples of his oratory can be read in:
- Suetonius - The Twelve Caesars - Tiberius - Clause 29.
- TacitusTacitusPublius Cornelius Tacitus was a senator and a historian of the Roman Empire. The surviving portions of his two major works—the Annals and the Histories—examine the reigns of the Roman Emperors Tiberius, Claudius, Nero and those who reigned in the Year of the Four Emperors...
- Annals of Imperial Rome - Part One
Chapters:
- Augustus to Tiberius
- The First Treason Trials
In his later life, Haterius was elected Consul Suffectus (the term used to denote the person who served the remainder of the regular consul’s term if he died or was thrown out) in 5 BC. By this time he was around 59 or 60 years old, yet he still continued to serve Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
. Tacitus
Tacitus
Publius Cornelius Tacitus was a senator and a historian of the Roman Empire. The surviving portions of his two major works—the Annals and the Histories—examine the reigns of the Roman Emperors Tiberius, Claudius, Nero and those who reigned in the Year of the Four Emperors...
speaks about Haterius many times in his Annals as being involved with the senate.
Haterius was also involved in putting restrictions on the luxury of the country. It was decided by the senate that solid gold vessels should not be used to serve food, and that it was disgraceful for men to wear silken clothes from the East.
As his age advanced, however, Haterius became less useful. In a senate meeting discussing how to honour the two princes of Tiberius
Tiberius
Tiberius , was Roman Emperor from 14 AD to 37 AD. Tiberius was by birth a Claudian, son of Tiberius Claudius Nero and Livia Drusilla. His mother divorced Nero and married Augustus in 39 BC, making him a step-son of Octavian...
, Haterius brought forth a motion that all decrees passed that day should be erected in the Senate house in solid gold letters; he was laughed at as a fool. However, he still showed signs of his former greatness, such as when he challenged the soon to be Emperor Tiberius by saying, “How long, Caesar
Caesar (title)
Caesar is a title of imperial character. It derives from the cognomen of Julius Caesar, the Roman dictator...
, will you suffer the State to be without a head?” relating to the fact that he had not chosen to take control the Empire yet. It is known that afterwards, Haterius went to the royal palace to seek pardon from Tiberius. Upon arriving, he threw himself at the knees of Tiberius as he was walking, which caused the Emperor to trip over him. At this point he was nearly killed by Tiberius’ soldiers, but was saved by Augusta after going to her for help.
Quintus Haterius died around the year 26 AD at nearly ninety years old with the highest honours, yet an obituary written by Tacitus says that though he was famous for his speaking during his lifetime, that fame was now dying away and that, “While the research and labours of other authors are valued by an after age, the harmonious fluency of Haterius died with him.”
There was a tomb built by his ancestors Tomb of the Haterii, between 100-110.