Laudator Temporis Acti

Anthony J. Marshall, "Symbols and Showmanship in Roman Public Life: The Fasces," Phoenix 38.2 (1984) 120-141 (at 138):

In Rome itself the strong feelings which the lower social orders focused upon the fasces may be traced in their group activity, our most reliable guide to the attitudes of the voiceless man in the street who falls below the social range reflected in literature. The smashing of a magistrate's fasces by a hostile mob determined to nullify his authority graphically demonstrates that ordinary Romans saw them as basic symbols of the authority set over them. The violence of such destruction may also indicate continuing resentment at these former instruments of patrician repression with their lingering potential for the act of execution. The fact that the rods were actually smashed in political riots rather than just stolen or defaced suggests also a popular feeling that it was only the spoiling of their practical effectiveness which would end the political power associated with them.<sup>76

76</sup> Asc. Corn. p. 58, ch. 51; Livy 2.55.9, 3.49.4; Cass. Dio 38.6.3. Cf. Mommsen, Staatsr. 1.377; Samter 2005; Kübler 511.

Livy 2.55.9 (tr. B.O. Foster):

The lictors were roughly handled and their rods were broken, while the consuls themselves were driven out of the Forum into the Curia, with no means of knowing how far Volero might use his victory.

violatis lictoribus, fascibus fractis, e foro in curiam compelluntur, incerti quatenus Volero exerceret victoriam.

Livy 3.49.4 (tr. B.O. Foster):

The decemvir's lictor now made a rush at Valerius and Horatius; his rods were broken by the mob.

Valerium Horatiumque lictor decemviri invadit: franguntur a multitudine fasces.

Dio Cassius 38.6.3 (tr. Earnest Cary):

But when he [Bibulus] appeared above and attempted to speak in opposition to Caesar he was thrust down the steps, his fasces were broken to pieces, and the tribunes as well as others received blows and wounds.

ὡς δὲ ἄνω τε ἐγένετο καὶ ἀντιλέγειν ἐπειρᾶτο, αὐτός τε κατὰ τῶν ἀναβασμῶν ἐώσθη καὶ αἱ ῥάβδοι αὐτοῦ συνετρίβησαν, πληγάς τε καὶ τραύματα ἄλλοι τε καὶ οἱ δήμαρχοι ἔλαβον.

Asconius, Commentary on Cicero, Pro Cornelio de maiestate 58c (tr. R.G. Lewis):

The consul C. Piso, on vehemently protesting that this was an outrage, and asserting that the tribunician right of veto was being subverted, was greeted with a torrent of abuse from the people. And when he ordered the arrest by his lictors of those who were shaking their fists at him, his fasces were broken and stones were hurled at the consul even from the furthest fringes of the contio.

quod cum improbe fieri C. Piso consul vehementer quereretur tollique tribuniciam intercessionem diceret, gravi convicio a populo exceptus est; et cum ille eos qui sibi intentabant manus prendi a lictore iussisset, fracti eius fasces sunt lapidesque etiam ex ultima contione in consulem iacti.

See T. Corey Brennan, The Fasces: A History of Ancient Rome's Most Dangerous Political Symbol (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2022), pp. 78-80.