Ronald Syme quotes

Ronald Syme was a renowned New Zealand-born historian and classicist, best known for his works on ancient Rome. His most influential book, "The Roman Revolution," transformed the study of Roman history through its modern analysis of power and politics. He remains one of the most respected authorities on the Roman Empire and its society. Here are 8 of his quotes:

The political cant of a country is naturally and always most strongly in evidence on the side of the vested interests.

Ronald Syme

Security and aggression are terms of partisan interpretation.

Ronald Syme

... libertas [liberty], like regnum [kingship] or dominatio [despotism], is a convenient term of political fraud.

Ronald Syme

In all ages, whatever the form and name of government, be it monarchy, republic, or democracy, an oligarchy lurks behind the façade....

Ronald Syme

Without a party a statesman is nothing. He sometimes forgets that awkward fact.

Ronald Syme

The best party is but a kind of conspiracy against the Commonwealth.

Ronald Syme

In all ages, whatever the form and name of government, be it monarchy, republic, or democracy, an oligarchy lurks behind the façade; and Roman history, Republican or Imperial, is the history of the governing class. The marshals, diplomats, and financiers of the Revolution may be discerned again in the Republic of Augustus as the ministers and agents of power, the same men but in different garb. They are the government of the New State.

Ronald Syme