Exemplum fidei: Marcus Atilius Regulus as a moral exemplum

Abstract

This paper focuses on the story of Marcus Atilius Regulus as an exemplum fidei. Taking Matthew Roller's division of exemplary discourse into the following categories as a model (2004), it discusses Regulus according to action, audience, commemoration, and imitation. In accordance with fetial law, his action of returning to Carthage to keep an oath ensures that the gods will consider the Romans just. Three audiences---the Roman senate, the gods, and the Carthaginians---interpret his action; the Roman senate and the gods approve, but the Carthaginians do not. Flexibility inherent in the Regulus story allows authors to mold the story with different thematic emphases so that the story maintains its relevance for new audiences. Romans imitate Regulus in a variety of ways that do not always include keeping an oath. Through these imitations the exemplary cycle renews itself and provides a sense of continuity to the next generation of Romans. There is some overlap among these categories, because the categorical elements of exemplary discourse are by nature interconnected. Nevertheless, focusing on these elements of the Regulus story demonstrates the significance of his story for a Roman audience through the ages.