(Greek πρόκριτος τῆς νεότητος/prókritos tês neótētos, Cass. Dio 55,9,9; 78,17,1; 'the first/most select among the youth'; the English word 'prince' derives from it). In the Republic, the term was used in the plural for the patrician equestrians organized in special units ( t urma ); as only the younger patricians served actively in the cavalry, the principes iuventutis could be described as the seminarium senatus ('nursery of the Senate') (Liv. 42,61,5). Cicero was already applying the term to individuals, already employing the distinction respective of the princep…
Princeps iuventutis(537 words)
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Eck, Werner (Cologne), “Princeps iuventutis”, in: Brill’s New Pauly, Antiquity volumes edited by: Hubert Cancik and , Helmuth Schneider, English Edition by: Christine F. Salazar, Classical Tradition volumes edited by: Manfred Landfester, English Edition by: Francis G. Gentry. Consulted online on 19 March 2024 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/1574-9347_bnp_e1008580>
First published online: 2006
First print edition: 9789004122598, 20110510
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