Haec est illa latii veteris aetas aurea. Interpretations of the Past in Symmachus' Discourses
Haec est illa latii veteris aetas aurea. Interpretations of the Past in Symmachus' Discourses

Summary/Abstract: In Symmachus Discourses (Orationes I-IV) we find a wide variety of references to the Roman political and military past, particularly in the Republican period. Generally, the Ancients get a negative assessment on his part, since their knowledge in terms of political, military and even geographical matters from the imperial expansion perspective are deemed to be lower to the knowledge held at present (the rhetorical topos of happiness in emperors’ time). We shall therefore review this specific interpretation of the past as given by the orator within the broader encomiastic context that the latter is inserted in. Starting from the records found in his correspondence (Epistulae) we shall also consider the overall picture of the past, mainly assessed particularly from a moral and cultural perspective. Finally, this choice can be explained by the role played by the senatorial elite in the 4th century. Lacking the authority, it traditionally exercised while leading the Empire, showing consistency in exercising loyalty to its sovereigns and the relevant political party the latter were already represented for ages, the elite was making its standing legitimate by its ancient cultural and moral ideals (mores maiorum) which it was still cultivating a discursive level.

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