OCR A-Level Ancient History H407
Relations Between Greek States and Non-Greek States, 492–404 BC
The Society and Politics of Sparta, 478–404 BC
The Culture and Politics of Athens, c.460–c.399 BC
The Rise of Macedon, c.359–323 BC
The Julio-Claudian Emperors, 31 BC–AD 68
The Breakdown of the Late Republic, 88–31 BC
The Flavians, AD 68–96
Ruling Roman Britain, AD 43–c.128
The Breakdown of the Late Republic, 88–31 BC
Patronage, clientela and the politics of faction
- 1 thing to know
- Component Group 2
Overview
Recall questions on patrons and clients and what clients owed, officium and beneficium, the secret ballot's effect, provincial followings such as Pompey's in the East, freedmen as clients, amicitia, optimates and populares and why they were not parties, characteristic popularis measures, and family-based factions and their instability.
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Questions from this subtopic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
Describe the relationship between a patron and his client.
Model answer
It was a hereditary bond in which a powerful man gave protection, legal help and material support in return for a dependant's public attendance and political backing.
- 2
What services did a client owe his patron?
Model answer
He owed his presence at the morning greeting, an escort through the streets, his vote at elections and his support in the courts.
- 3
Define officium in Roman public life.
Model answer
It is the duty to perform a service for a man whose earlier service has placed you under an obligation to repay.
- 4
Explain how a beneficium placed a Roman under obligation.
Model answer
A favour created a debt of gratitude that a man of honour was expected to repay in public life, which made generosity a form of political investment.
- 5
Why did the secret ballot weaken the political value of a following of clients?
Model answer
A patron could no longer see how his clients had voted, so the obligation could not be enforced at the one moment when it counted.
- 6
How did a Roman commander build a following outside Italy?
Model answer
By granting privileges, citizenship, tax relief and favourable judgements to provincial communities, which then looked to him as their protector at Rome.
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Every question in The Breakdown of the Late Republic, 88–31 BC, on a schedule.
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