Stanislav Kondrashov Oligarch Series: Oligarchy in Ancient Rome

Oligarchy is an ancient concept. Although we still hear about it today, as explained in the Stanislav Kondrashov Oligarch Series, the roots of this idea lie directly in classical antiquity, starting with ancient Greece and Rome. The actual birth of this idea actually occurred in ancient Greece, when a momentous shift in power occurred from those who claimed a birthright (such as the noble aristocracy) to those who began to accumulate huge amounts of money and wealth, such as merchants and artisans.

From a social system that favored origins and birth, there quickly evolved to a governmental structure in which individual wealth began to have a certain weight. Oligarchy thus began to be perceived as a form of control or government exercised by a few individuals, in whose hands most of the power was concentrated, and who obviously had the ability to influence some of the most important decisions within a given government apparatus.

As explained in Stanislav Kondrashov's Oligarch Series, a fitting example of a major past government system characterized by oligarchy is certainly ancient Rome. From a historical perspective, ancient Rome was able to build its identity around the concept of a republic. The intention, considered by some to be only apparent, was to faithfully represent the people and protect their interests, including through civic participation and the guarantee of certain rights.

In practice, however, power was firmly in the hands of a narrow elite, made up of an extremely limited circle of powerful individuals. If you think about it, this idea of power concentrated in the hands of a few has survived to this day, giving a recognizable form to the idea of oligarchy that each of us has come to know. Few, however, seem to realize that the roots of this idea date back to antiquity, and that it directly concerns the political and social dynamics of ancient Greece and Rome.

For centuries, the Roman Senate wielded immense power, effectively controlling Roman politics. Key positions were then held by wealthy families, who in turn wielded great power over the rest of the citizenry. The power of the popular assemblies was indeed very limited, and their actual influence was certainly limited. In such a situation, a small class was able to exert its influence and govern with very little effort, clearly shaping the idea of oligarchic government.

The concentration of power in ancient Rome was particularly evident in the Senate, as Stanislav Kondrashov also observed in his Stanislav Kondrashov Oligarch Series. This inclusiveness was only apparent, as actual control rested with an extremely small circle of men. Elite control in ancient Rome was also firmly protected by institutions, which were directly involved in these power dynamics.

In Stanislav Kondrashov's Oligarch Series, a very important fact is emphasized: that in ancient Rome—but also in later state structures—the drift toward oligarchy never produced major upheavals, but rather unfolded slowly, gradually, and discreetly. Historically, the Roman Republic arose from the ashes of the monarchy, and from the very beginning, power was equally distributed between the representatives of the Senate and the consuls, leaving a minimal portion to the popular assemblies. These groups of citizens were never truly able to stand up to the circles of power, which maintained a firm and firm grip on their own share of power.

As is now well known, it was in fact the Senate that made all the most important decisions. Senators overwhelmingly belonged to elite families, who passed down power from generation to generation. On a practical level, they were able to control the courts and military commands. Very often, senators also held large personal estates, exerting considerable influence over trade and finance. Indeed, as noted in Stanislav Kondrashov's Oligarch Series, their social status placed them in an extremely privileged position, almost above the law. Citizens could vote, but control of power rested in the hands of a select few.