Aspetti della riflessione sul governo misto nel pensiero politico romano da Cicerone all’età di Giustiniano

The theory of mixed constitution in Rome concerns the position of the senatorial aristocracy in the State. During the Late republican period, Cicero considers a mixed constitution the perfect basis to achieve a balance between senatorial auctoritas and popular libertas. According to Cicero, a mixed Constitution will preserve the State against decay. During the principate, a mixed constitution is based on the agreement between the princeps and the aristocracy against the popular masses. Aristocracy will take part in the government and act as an intermediary between the emperor and the masses. Even on the eve of Justinian’s autocracy, this theory is still discussed in constantinopolitan bureaucracy.