Ronald Syme Quotes & Sayings

In matters of literary and historical appraisement, one cannot operate with the methods of a laboratory or furnish the proof to be demanded in a court of law. The best is only the probable. Any who raise complaint have an easy remedy: to offer something better, something coherent and constructive. — Ronald Syme

Pietas prevailed, and out of the blood of Caesar the monarchy was born. — Ronald Syme

A democracy cannot rule an empire. Neither can one man, though empire may appear to presuppose monarchy. There is always an oligarchy somewhere, open or concealed. — Ronald Syme

Individuals capture attention and engross history, but the most revolutionary changes in Roman politics were the work of families or of a few men. — Ronald Syme

The strength and vitality of an empire is frequently due to the new aristocracy from the periphery. — Ronald Syme

The custom of prefixing or appending to historical narratives an estimate of the character and personality of the principal agent is of doubtful advantage at the best of times - it either imparts a specious unity to the action or permits apology or condemnation on moral and emotional grounds. — Ronald Syme

The Augustus of history and panegyric stands aloof and alone, with all the power and all the glory. But he did not win power and hold it by his own efforts alone: was the ostensible author and prime agent in the policy of regeneration merely perhaps carrying out the instructions of a concealed oligarchy or the general mandate of his adherents? — Ronald Syme

Crassus was in the habit of maintaining that nobody should be called rich who was not able to maintain an army on his income. — Ronald Syme

Women have their uses for historians. — Ronald Syme