Yee-Ming
Senior HTF Member
As ever Joe, thanks for the historical background!
I had the impression Princeps Senatus was a little like the British "Father Of The House" or the US Senate's president pro tem, it was simply whichever Member or Senator was the most senior age-wise, or length of service-wise, and not a measure of that particular politician's actual clout or power.
I am reminded of how Rome (the historic political entity, not this HBO series!) has influenced a lot of modern politics and culture. For some reason the Star Trek episode (whose name escapes me) where they found a civilization where Rome never fell comes to mind, and Kirk met a former Starfleet captain Merrick, who had become First Citizen Mericus in that civilization. Also, Jeffrey Archer's book (subsequently turned into a mini-series) First Among Equals sort-of highlights how in British politics, the Prime Minister was initially seen to be simply that, the titular leader of a Cabinet of equals handling individual portfolios. Modern British politics has of course digressed from that.
Now onto I, Claudius. I finally got it a few weeks ago, but for various reasons haven't started watching yet. Oddly having now seen the conclusion to Rome, with the "rise of Livia", it was probably appropriate to have waited anyway.
Oh, for the Vorenus "did he die?" debate, I think he did: as observed already Pullo seemed rather broken up about it when reporting to Octavian, and there was no reason to lie to Octavian about Vorenus's death anyway -- Octavian I think recognised that Vorenus was simply an honourable man serving Antony because he was "Antony's man" after previously having been one of Caesar's most trusted men, and not because Vorenus personally opposed Octavian; heck, Vorenus didn't like Caesar's politics but had faithfully served Caesar anyway (leaving aside the final screwup). Had he lived, Vorenus would no doubt have been given a position under Octavian as well.
I had the impression Princeps Senatus was a little like the British "Father Of The House" or the US Senate's president pro tem, it was simply whichever Member or Senator was the most senior age-wise, or length of service-wise, and not a measure of that particular politician's actual clout or power.
I am reminded of how Rome (the historic political entity, not this HBO series!) has influenced a lot of modern politics and culture. For some reason the Star Trek episode (whose name escapes me) where they found a civilization where Rome never fell comes to mind, and Kirk met a former Starfleet captain Merrick, who had become First Citizen Mericus in that civilization. Also, Jeffrey Archer's book (subsequently turned into a mini-series) First Among Equals sort-of highlights how in British politics, the Prime Minister was initially seen to be simply that, the titular leader of a Cabinet of equals handling individual portfolios. Modern British politics has of course digressed from that.
Now onto I, Claudius. I finally got it a few weeks ago, but for various reasons haven't started watching yet. Oddly having now seen the conclusion to Rome, with the "rise of Livia", it was probably appropriate to have waited anyway.
Oh, for the Vorenus "did he die?" debate, I think he did: as observed already Pullo seemed rather broken up about it when reporting to Octavian, and there was no reason to lie to Octavian about Vorenus's death anyway -- Octavian I think recognised that Vorenus was simply an honourable man serving Antony because he was "Antony's man" after previously having been one of Caesar's most trusted men, and not because Vorenus personally opposed Octavian; heck, Vorenus didn't like Caesar's politics but had faithfully served Caesar anyway (leaving aside the final screwup). Had he lived, Vorenus would no doubt have been given a position under Octavian as well.
) The princeps senatus was chosen every five years by the censors. The rules governing the job varied, but it was always given to a patrician, the senior senator of his decury (a grouping of ten senators that went back to the legendary founding of the senate as a group of 100 advisors to Romulus), a consular (former consul) and often a former censor. Necessarily this would be a widely respected and accomplished figure, and the censors would be careful to select someone with sound judgement and who was unlikely to antagonize too many people. But the office rather added to a man's prestige once he had it rather than reflecting his prestige at the time he was given it. 
