Auctoritas

Auctoritas is a Latin word which is the origin of the English word "authority". While today the term is often associated with power, particularly in a legal or political context, in ancient Rome, auctoritas referred to the general level of prestige a person had in Roman society. This concept was an integral part of Roman politics, society, and culture, and it played a significant role in the functioning of the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire.

Etymology and Definition

The term auctoritas is derived from the Latin verb augēre, which means "to increase" or "to originate". The noun auctor refers to a leader, originator, or, more broadly, a person who grants others their increase. Therefore, auctoritas can be understood as the quality of being an auctor: a source of influence or prestige.

Auctoritas in Roman Society

In Roman society, auctoritas was not merely a reflection of one's official position or legal power, known as potestas, but rather it encompassed the moral and social influence a person had. It was a measure of a person's standing within the community, based on their wisdom, virtue, and achievements. Individuals such as the senators, magistrates, and especially the consuls were expected to possess a high degree of auctoritas.

Auctoritas and Potestas

The distinction between auctoritas and potestas is crucial in understanding Roman political and social dynamics. Potestas refers to the legal or official power to command or enforce laws, typically held by magistrates or military commanders. In contrast, auctoritas was more about the informal power to influence and persuade, which could be held by any respected individual, regardless of their official position. A person with high auctoritas could significantly influence decisions within the Senate or the public without holding any formal office.

Auctoritas of the Senate

The Roman Senate was considered to have a collective auctoritas that stemmed from its role as the body of former magistrates and the repository of Rome's tradition and wisdom. The Senate's auctoritas was essential in the governance of the Roman state, guiding the decisions of magistrates and even influencing the Roman assemblies.

Auctoritas of the Emperor

With the transition from the Roman Republic to the Roman Empire, the concept of auctoritas became closely associated with the Roman Emperor. The first emperor, Augustus, cleverly used his auctoritas to maintain a facade of republican governance, even as he held supreme power. He and his successors were said to hold auctoritas principis, a form of auctoritas that combined the respect and influence of a leading senator with the power of a monarch.

Legacy

The concept of auctoritas has had a lasting impact on Western thought, influencing ideas about authority and leadership well beyond the fall of the Roman Empire. It underscores the importance of moral authority and respect in addition to formal power.