Roman Ethos In Ancient Rome

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This essay will discuss the main features of the Roman aristocratic ethos in the second century BC and indicate the strengths and weaknesses of this system within Roman society. Greek historian Titus Livius made reference to two well known myths of Ancient Rome and their significance to Roman societal values. Both of these myths are at the very heart of the founding of Rome and the Roman Republic itself. The first is the myth of the founding of Rome with the birth of twins Romulus and Remus by the Vestal Virgin Rhea Silvia as a result of rape by the God Mars. The second relates to the founding of the Roman Republic with the last king of Rome Tarquin the Proud and his family expelled from the city after his son Sextus had raped his cousin's…show more content…
Epitaphs from the tombs of many Roman’s were adorned with details of one’s military and political glories. The tomb of Lucius Cornelius Scipio Barbatus, first discovered in sixteen fourteen, is one such example. The following epitaph clearly demonstrates the Roman custom of reiterating one’s own achievements even when no longer among the living. ‘Lucius Cornelius Scipio Long-Beard, Gnaeus’begotten son, a valiant gentleman and wise, whose fine form matched his bravery surpassing well, was aedile, consul and censor among you; he took Taurasia and Cisauna from Samnium; he overcame all the Lucanian land and brought hostages there from.’ With such an emphasis placed upon war and politics it would appear that these were two crucial characteristics of success in Roman society. It must be noted however that some of the tombs of the Roman elite failed to make mention of any successes and instead reiterated one’s personal attitibutes. In many instances this was common among those that had died young but in some cases epitaphs failed to note accomplishments among older deceased. This could only have brought shame to a family hence the need to justify the dead in other aspects of their…show more content…
He writes "I have often heard that Quintus (Fabius Maximus, Publius Scipio, and other eminent men of our country, were in the habit of declaring that their hearts were set mightily aflame for the pursuit of virtue whenever they gazed upon the masks of their ancestors." Perhaps the masks of ancestors were of great encouragement to the Roman elite to succeed in battle and politics. Whether the motive behind that encouragement was to compete with and exceed all triumphs of ancestors or to simply fulfil pre-existent ancestral expectations is unknown. It is fair to assume that both were driving forces behind a Roman’s need to live up to family
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