Research Case: Why did the tribunate, created to protect the plebeians, become both a check on the ruling class and a risk of political stagnation and abuse of power?

A Three-Layer Analysis (TLA) of Livy, History of Rome, Book 2 1. Question Why did the tribunate, created to protect the plebeians, become both a check on the ruling class and a risk of political stagnation and abuse of power? In Livy’s History of Rome from Its Foundation, Book 2, the conflict between the patricians … Read more

Research Case: Why are politicians who call for plebeian relief easily suspected by the ruling class of seeking kingship or tyranny?

A Three-Layer Analysis (TLA) of Livy, History of Rome, Book 2 1. Question Why are politicians who call for plebeian relief easily suspected by the ruling class of seeking kingship or tyranny? In Livy’s History of Rome from Its Foundation, Book 2, Rome does not become stable simply by expelling the kings. After the fall … Read more

Research Case: Why was the agrarian law not only a land distribution issue, but also a matter of military service, debt, livelihood, and the real meaning of citizenship for the plebeians?

A Three-Layer Analysis (TLA) of Livy, History of Rome, Book 2 1. Question Why was the agrarian law not only a land distribution issue, but also a matter of military service, debt, livelihood, and the real meaning of citizenship for the plebeians? In Livy’s History of Rome from Its Foundation, Book 2, the early Roman … Read more

Research Case: Why Does the Public Distribution of Honor Shape Citizen Behavior Beyond Monetary Rewards?

A Three-Layer Analysis (TLA) of Livy, History of Rome, Book 2 1. Question Why does the public distribution of honor have the power to shape citizen behavior beyond monetary rewards? Livy’s History of Rome, Book II describes how Rome expelled the kings, established the Republic, and fought against external enemies and royal restoration forces in … Read more

Research Case: Why Did Rome Reward a Slave Who Broke Private Loyalty and Reported Treason to the State?

A Three-Layer Analysis (TLA) of Livy, History of Rome, Book 2 1. Question Why did Rome reward a slave who broke private loyalty, reported treason to the state, and then received freedom and citizenship? Livy’s History of Rome, Book II describes a conspiracy soon after the expulsion of the kings. The former royal family of … Read more

Research Case: Why Did Brutus Have to Punish Treason Even When the Traitors Were His Own Sons?

A Three-Layer Analysis (TLA) of Livy, History of Rome, Book 2 1. Question Why did Brutus have to punish treason even when the traitors were his own sons? Livy’s History of Rome, Book II describes the process by which Rome expelled the kings and established the Republic. However, the Republic did not become stable simply … Read more

Research Case: Why Does a Gentle Leader Become an Object of Distrust among the Plebeians When He Avoids Institutional Decisions?

A Three-Layer Analysis (TLA) of Livy, History of Rome, Book 2 1. Question Why does a gentle leader become an object of distrust among the plebeians when he avoids institutional decisions? In Livy’s History of Rome, Book 2, early Republican Rome faces serious problems over debt, military service, and the protection of the plebeians. In … Read more

Research Case: Why Is It More Stable to Bring Public Dissatisfaction Back into Order through Persuasion Concession and Institutionalization than through Forceful Suppression?

A Three-Layer Analysis (TLA) of Livy, History of Rome, Book 2 1. Question Why is it more stable to bring public dissatisfaction back into order through persuasion, concession, and institutionalization than through forceful suppression? In Livy’s History of Rome, Book 2, the conflict between the patricians and the plebeians deepens in early Republican Rome. The … Read more

Research Case: Why Did Rome Return to Internal Conflict over Debt Military Service and Land after the External Enemy Disappeared?

A Three-Layer Analysis (TLA) of Livy, History of Rome, Book 2 1. Question Why did Rome return to internal conflict over debt, military service, and land after the external enemy disappeared? In Livy’s History of Rome, Book 2, Rome expels the kings and forms the Republic. After that, Rome repeatedly faces external invasions and internal … Read more

Research Case: Why Did the Senate Maintain Trust through Life Support and Burden Adjustment Instead of Oppressing the Plebeians during an External Invasion?

A Three-Layer Analysis (TLA) of Livy, History of Rome, Book 2 1. Question Why did the Senate maintain trust in the state through life support and burden adjustment instead of oppressing the plebeians during an external invasion? In Livy’s History of Rome, Book 2, Rome expels the kings and begins to form the Republic. Soon … Read more