Episode 101 – Talk to the Tree

It can be quite insulting to be told to ‘talk to the hand' and, for the Romans, it would seem that being told to ‘talk to the tree' is just as problematic. In this episode, we explore the tail end of 459 BCE and enter 458 BCE. It's fair to say that some mud is being flung between Rome and her neighbours… Episode 101 – Talk to the Tree The Trouble withMurder…Livy and Dr Rad have some excellent details to offer about the ongoing and troubling ambiguity surrounding the plebeian push for the ‘the law about the laws'. This ongoing issues between patrician interests and the tribunes fighting for greater transparency is soon waylaid, however, by concerns pertaining to the recent accusation of murder! Dr Rad delves into the murky narrative and Livy's account of the affair.New Year, SameTribunesIntrigues and law cases regarding potentially spurious accusations of murder give way to new elections and we find ourselves in c. 458 BCE. Both Verginius and Volscius make it back it into the tribuneship! Listen out for Dr G forgetting Volscius (awkward for everyone) and temporarily being unable to read a map (to clarify, the Sabines and the Aequians are both East of Rome, North and South respectively).Trouble in the SouthIt isn't long before Rome learns of Aequian incursions into Tusculum, which is a huge surprise given the peace treaty concluded between Rome and the Aequians just the year before. Listen in to find out how: Rome reacts to threats from the south the fetiales get involved and oak trees take on an important cameo role While Dionysius ofHalicarnassus gets swept up in the military narrative, Livy seeks tobalance the challenges the Rome faces externally and internally…Our Players459 BCEConsulsQ. Fabius M.f. K. VibulanusL. CorneliusSer. f. P. n. Maluginensis UritinusPrefect of the City LuciusLucretius (Tricipitinus)Tribunes Aulus Verginius Marcus Volscius Fictor (maybe a tribune)Quaestors AulusCorneliusQuintusServilius (Structus Priscus?)PatricianKaesoQuinctius 458 BCEConsuls C. NautiusSp. f. Sp. n. Rutilus – cos IIL. MinuciusP. f. M. n Esquilinus AugurinusPrefect of the City Q. FabiusVibulanusTribunes Aulus Verginius Marcus Volscius FictorQuaestorM. ValeriusM'. f. Volusi MaximusT. QuintiusCapitolinus BarbatusRoman EmbassyQ. FabiusVibulanus (also Prefect of the City)P. VolumniusAmintinus GallusA. PostumiusAlbus RegillensisAequian LeaderCloeliusGracchus Claude Lorrain 1682 Ascanius Shooting the Stag of Sylvia, chosen for its artful arrangement of trees, which are quite pertinent to this episode. The story of Ascanius we'll save for another time. Additional sounds in this episode: BBC and WolframTonesFor our full show notes and edited transcripts, head on over to https://partialhistorians.com/Support the showPatreonKo-FiRead our booksRex: The Seven Kings of RomeYour Cheeky Guide to the Roman Empire Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.