2012/10/26 by Alexander Yakobson · 1 citation
Social Sciences · Arts and Humanities · Psychology · Engineering · #Classical Antiquity Studies #Historical, Religious, and Philosophical Studies #Historical and Literary Studies #Pride #Offensive #Peasant #Urbanity #Anger #Political science #Ancient history #History #Law #Psychology #Engineering #Social psychology #Operations research
paper · doi:10.1002/9781444338386.wbeah20053
openalex publication_date 2012/10/26 · openalex created_date 2022/05/12 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/14
Abstract Publius Scipio Nasica was an illustrious and powerful statesman, who took pride in being leader of the Senate for many years. As a young man, when he was campaigning for the curule aedileship, he shook the hand of a peasant somewhat assiduously, as candidates are wont to do. He noticed that the man's hand is hardened by his rustic work, and jokingly asked him whether he was in the habit of walking on his hands. This saying, to which the bystanders took exception, spread among the people and was the cause of Scipio's defeat in the election. All the rural tribes thought that he was casting a slur on their poverty, and turned their anger against his offensive urbanity (Val. Max. 7.5.2).