Pater Patriae
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Pater Patriae (plural Patres Patriae), also seen as Parens Patriae, is a Latin honorific meaning "Father of the Fatherland."
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[edit] Roman history
Like all official titles of the Roman Republic and Principate, the honor of being called pater patriae was conferred by the Roman Senate.
It was first awarded to the great orator and senatorial statesman Marcus Tullius Cicero for his part in the suppression of the Catilinarian conspiracy during his consulate in 63 BC.
It was next awarded to Julius Caesar, who as dictator for life was sole master of the Roman (now 'crowned' all but in name) republic and its imperium.
The Senate voted the title to Caesar Augustus in 2 BC, but being neither important for the ruler's legitimacy nor for his legal powers, it did not become a regular part of the imperial honors, contrary to imperator, caesar, augustus, princeps senatus, pontifex maximus and tribunicia potestas; his successor Tiberius did not receive the title.
The Senate eventually conferred the title on many Roman emperors, often only after many years of rule, or if the new emperor was particularly esteemed by the senators, as in the case of Nerva. As a result, many of the short-lived Emperors never received the title.
The honor was subject to the approval of the honoree, who could decline it. For example, the historian Suetonius notes in his work The Twelve Caesars that Nero did so when first offered the honor during the first year of his reign, on account of his youth. It was traditional for the honoree, in a proper sign of humility, to defer the honor for some time once conferred. Hadrian deferred for eleven years, for example.[1]
[edit] Chronological list of Roman Patres Patriae
- Note that with the exceptions of Cicero and Julius Caesar, the following are all considered Roman emperors.
- Cicero, 63 BC (due to his role in the suppression of the Catilinarian conspiracy)
- Julius Caesar, 45 BC (who restored the Pax Romana in the 40s BC after the civil wars)
- Caesar Augustus, February 5, 2 BC
- Gaius "Caligula", 37
- Claudius, January, 42
- Nero, 55
- Vespasianus, 70
- Titus, June, 79
- Domitianus, September 14, 81
- Nerva, September, 96
- Trajanus, 98
- Hadrianus, 128
- Antoninus Pius, 139
- Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus, 166
- Commodus, 177
- Septimius Severus, 193
- "Caracalla", 199
- Macrinus, June, 217
- "Elagabalus", July, 218
- Gordian III, May, 238
- Probus, July, 276
- Diocletianus, November 20, 284
- Maximianus, April 1, 286
- Constantinus I, the Great, 307
[edit] Modern Fathers of their Fatherlands
In the case of imitation of this Roman title after Antiquity, either the original Latin term, a translation in the appropriate language or both can be used.
- William I of Provence, called the Liberator, defeated the Saracens at the Battle of Tourtour
- The Florentine Renaissance ruler Cosimo de' Medici was granted the title.
- The genoese admiral Andrea Doria, insigned of the title by Holy Roman Emperor Charles I of Spain
- In the Netherlands, William the Silent, prince of Orange
- In the early days of the republic, general George Washington, hero of the War of Independence and first American President, was often referred to as pater patriae of the United States of America.
- The analogous modern phrase "Father of the Nation" implies less of a great contribution to the preservation and integrity of a state rather than a great role in the founding of a state.
[edit] See also
- ^ Birley, Anthony. "Marcus Aurelius: A Biography." Yale University Press: New Haven, CT, 1987, p. 57
