Discourse, International Relations, and International Relations theory

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Abstract

The nature of Roman Republican international relations The history of Rome's interstate relations began, in Roman national mythology, with a striking example of the interplay between what can be loosely termed “domestic” and “international” amicitia . According to Livy, when Aeneas first arrived on Italian shores and entered the aboriginal kingdom of Latinus, the two leaders immediately established friendly relations. Latinus “by extending his right hand [to Aeneas], sanctified the good faith of the friendship that would be” ( dextra data fidem futurae amicitiae sanxisse ). The two then added a domestic treaty ( foedus ) to the public one, says Livy, when Latinus gave Aeneas his daughter in marriage (Livy 1.1.8–9; cf. Dion. Hal. 1.59.1–2). A millennium later, again according to Livy, the Numidian chieftain Masinissa traveled from his kingdom in North Africa to Spain in order to meet the Roman commander P. Cornelius Scipio (the future Africanus) in person and shake his hand ( Numida cum ipso utique congredi Scipione uolebat atque eius dextra fidem sancire ). The two leaders met and Masinissa, whose admiration for Scipio was already well established because of the Roman's great accomplishments ( ceperat iam ante Numidam ex fama rerum gestarum admiratio uiri ), was awestruck by his majesty, manliness, and military bearing ( maiestas…uirilis uere ac militaris ). For his part, Scipio was impressed by the Numidian commander's youthful high spirit and courage ( ipse iuuenis specimen animi prae se ferret ). Masinissa told Scipio of his eagerness to perform a kindness ( beneficium ) for both Scipio and the Roman people since the Roman commander had recently returned to him his nephew, whom the Romans had earlier captured in battle against the Carthaginians and their allies; now that the gods had provided him the opportunity, said Masinissa, no other foreigner would prove as energetic or helpful to Scipio and the Roman people than himself. The two commanders then exchanged pledges of loyalty ( fide data acceptaque ) and Scipio allowed Masinissa to plunder the surrounding fields, so that he should not return to his kingdom empty-handed (Livy 28.35; cf. App. Hisp . 37).