Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-)
Document Type
Thesis
Publication Date
4-30-2026
Disciplines
History
Advisor
Jason Schlude
Abstract
Using a narrative of the fall of the Roman Republic, the present work explains how constitutions change. First, a definition of "constitution" is developed as the amalgamation of traditions, customs, social mores and culture as they relate to the act of governing. Second, theories of so-called personal and stately glory, Heroic “Great Men,” and legendary stories both from a society’s past and stories that are being played out and participated in by the people of an era, are introduced and discussed to explain the forces of constitutional change in the Roman Republican context. A historical narrative example from the career of Caesar and the Caesarean Civil War, roughly 63 B.C.E through 44 C.E., is described to demonstrate the importance of each theory (glory, Heroic figures, legendary stories) in the actions of the principal “Great Men” of that era: Pompey and Caesar. During the Civil War, it is shown that Caesar's popularity came from his development and use of his personal glory and position as a Heroic figure in a legendary narrative that his soldiers were living through. Similarly, Pompey rests on notions of stately glory to maintain the loyalty of his commanders and does not become a Heroic figure like Caesar, contributing to Pompey's inability to stop Caesar and his followers from the Roman People from changing the constitution. Finally, I will demonstrate the importance of this framework for understanding modern politics by analyzing modern political phenomena.
Recommended Citation
Gatchell, Tarin, "Causes and Drivers of Constitutional Change in the Roman Republic" (2026). Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-). 367.
https://digitalcommons.csbsju.edu/ur_cscday/367