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Polybius · The Histories §6.12.1-6.12.10

The Executive and Military Powers of the Consuls

Passage 489 of 1311 · Greek

Summary

The author details the extensive powers of the consuls in both administrative and military spheres, showing how their supreme command in Rome and in the field resembles a monarchy.

§6.12.1οἱ μὲν γὰρ ὕπατοι πρὸ τοῦ μὲν ἐξάγειν τὰ στρατόπεδα παρόντες ἐν Ῥώμῃ πασῶν εἰσι κύριοι τῶν δημοσίων πράξεων.
For the consuls, before leading out the armies, while staying in Rome, have control over all public affairs.
§6.12.2οἵ τε γὰρ ἄρχοντες οἱ λοιποὶ πάντες ὑποτάττονται καὶ πειθαρχοῦσι τούτοις πλὴν τῶν δημάρχων, εἴς τε τὴν σύγκλητον οὗτοι τὰς πρεσβείας ἄγουσι.
For all the other magistrates, except the tribunes, are subordinate to them and obey them, and it is they who introduce embassies to the senate.
§6.12.3πρὸς δὲ τοῖς προειρημένοις οὗτοι τὰ κατεπείγοντα τῶν διαβουλίων ἀναδιδόασιν, οὗτοι τὸν ὅλον χειρισμὸν τῶν δογμάτων ἐπιτελοῦσι.
In addition to the aforementioned things, they present urgent matters of deliberation, and they carry out the entire execution of the decrees.
§6.12.4καὶ μὴν ὅσα δεῖ διὰ τοῦ δήμου συντελεῖσθαι τῶν πρὸς τὰς κοινὰς πράξεις ἀνηκόντων, τούτοις καθήκει φροντίζειν καὶ συνάγειν τὰς ἐκκλησίας, τούτοις εἰσφέρειν τὰ δόγματα, τούτοις βραβεύειν τὰ δοκοῦντα τοῖς πλείοσι.
Moreover, regarding all matters concerning public affairs that must be accomplished through the people, it is their duty to take care of them and to summon the assemblies, to introduce proposals, and to direct the execution of what is decided by the majority.
§6.12.5καὶ μὴν περὶ πολέμου κατασκευῆς καὶ καθόλου τῆς ἐν ὑπαίθροις οἰκονομίας σχεδὸν αὐτοκράτορα τὴν ἐξουσίαν ἔχουσι.
And indeed, they have almost absolute authority regarding the preparation of war and the general management of campaigns in the field.
§6.12.6καὶ γὰρ ἐπιτάττειν τοῖς συμμαχικοῖς τὸ δοκοῦν, καὶ τοὺς χιλιάρχους καθιστάναι, καὶ διαγράφειν τοὺς στρατιώτας, καὶ διαλέγειν τοὺς ἐπιτηδείους τούτοις ἔξεστι.
For it is permitted to them to command the allies as they see fit, to appoint military tribunes, to levy soldiers, and to select suitable men.
§6.12.7πρὸς δὲ τοῖς εἰρημένοις ζημιῶσαι τῶν ὑποταττομένων ἐν τοῖς ὑπαίθροις ὃν ἂν βουληθῶσι κύριοι καθεστᾶσιν.
In addition to what has been said, they have authority to punish whomever they wish of those under their command in the field.
§6.12.8ἐξουσίαν δʼ ἔχουσι καὶ δαπανᾶν τῶν δημοσίων ὅσα προθεῖντο, παρεπομένου ταμίου καὶ πᾶν τὸ προσταχθὲν ἑτοίμως ποιοῦντος.
They also have the power to spend as much of the public money as they choose, while a quaestor accompanies them and readily does whatever is ordered.
§6.12.9ὥστʼ εἰκότως εἰπεῖν ἄν, ὅτε τις εἰς ταύτην ἀποβλέψειε τὴν μερίδα, διότι μοναρχικὸν ἁπλῶς καὶ βασιλικόν ἐστι τὸ πολίτευμα.
So that one might reasonably say, whenever anyone looks at this part, that the constitution is simply monarchical and kingly.
§6.12.10εἰ δέ τινα τούτων ἢ τῶν λέγεσθαι μελλόντων λήψεται μετάθεσιν ἢ κατὰ τὸ παρὸν ἢ μετά τινα χρόνον, οὐδὲν ἂν εἴη πρὸς τὴν νῦν ὑφʼ ἡμῶν λεγομένην ἀπόφασιν.
And if any of these things, or of those about to be mentioned, undergoes alteration either at present or after some time, it would be of no consequence to the assertion now made by us.

Notes

  1. §6.12.1πρὸ τοῦ μὲν ἐξάγειν — The preposition `πρό` combined with the articular infinitive in the genitive, `τοῦ ἐξάγειν`. The particle `μὲν` anticipates the contrast between the consuls' powers before leading out the army (while staying in Rome) and their powers in the field discussed later from §6.12.5 onward.
  2. §6.12.4τούτοις καθήκει φροντίζειν — The impersonal verb `καθήκει` ('it is the duty of') takes the dative `τούτοις` ('to them') and a series of coordinate infinitives (`φροντίζειν καὶ συνάγειν`, `εἰσφέρειν`, `βραβεύειν`). The repetition of the demonstrative pronoun `τούτοις` before each clause emphasizes the consuls' executive initiative.
  3. §6.12.8παρεπομένου ταμίου — A genitive absolute construction consisting of the present participle `παρεπομένου` and the noun `ταμίου` (quaestor). The subsequent clause `καὶ πᾶν τὸ προσταχθὲν ἑτοίμως ποιοῦντος` is also part of this genitive absolute, describing the subordinate role of the accompanying quaestor to the consuls.
  4. §6.12.9ὥστʼ εἰκότως εἰπεῖν ἄν — The consecutive conjunction `ὥστε` (elided to `ὥστʼ`) followed by the infinitive `εἰπεῖν` with the potential particle `ἄν`. The construction conveys the potential outcome: 'so that one might reasonably say...'
  5. §6.12.10οὐδὲν ἂν εἴη πρὸς — The preposition `πρός` is used here with the accusative `τὴν... ἀπόφασιν` to denote relation or opposition. Combined with `οὐδὲν ἂν εἴη` (the optative `εἴη` with potential `ἄν`), the phrase means 'it would have no relevance to / would not invalidate the statement now made by us.'

Cite this passage

Polybius, The Histories §6.12.1-6.12.10. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0543.tlg001.humanitext-grc2:6.12.1-6.12.10

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