Aristocratic Adjustment
The 5th century was a time of increased interactions and turmoil throughout Europe. One writer that portrays some of the major changes that occurred during this era is Caius Sollius Modestus Apollimaris Sidonius, or simply Sidonius. Sidonius was a Roman aristocrat who lived roughly between c.431-c.489 and experienced the end of the Roman Empire. During his life, Sidonius wrote letters regarding the transformation of Gaul, the Roman province where he lived, into the property of Frankish kings. Two letters, one to a fellow aristocrat and one to his brother-in-law, provide specific examples of the lifestyles and relationships during this time. I believe Sidonius’ letters demonstrate how the lifestyles of both the Gallo-Roman aristocracy and the Gothic aristocracy adjusted during the transformation of the Roman world.
Roman aristocrats in 5th century Gaul lived idyllic lifestyles that continued unaffected despite the province’s change in leadership. A prime document regarding upper-class living is Sidonius’ letter to his friend Donidius. This letter, written around AD 461-7, records Sidonius’ stay in Nimes at the homes of Tonantius Ferreolus and Apollinaris as an explanation for why he has not yet visited Donidius. Sidonius introduces Ferreolus and Apollinaris by describing their overabundant hospitality. To ensure that travelers do not pass by their houses untreated, Ferreolus and Apollinaris have posted scouts along the roads and in the woods to meet
The Prestige is a film adaptation of the Christopher Priest novel bearing the same name. The story is set in the turn-of-the-century London about two stage magicians, their rivalry, and their obsession to be the best with the artistry and secrecy of illusion. The analysis of The Prestige will examine several aspects of the film including plot, character development, use of sound, use of photography, set design, lighting, and role of the collaborators. Each of these areas is important to create the emotion, suspense, and energy for a successful and entertaining film.
Tiberius Gracchus and Cicero were two men who were both concerned with wellness of the citizens of Rome; however, they had different opinions on the best way to achieve political advancements. Throughout the different generations of the two men, the same issues plagued Rome, and throughout their lifetimes the separate factions of the senate became more polarized as they continued to disagree about the fate of Rome. Cicero wrote letters to his friends and family which today offer great primary information about what it was like in Rome during the late republic. In our virtual reality game, Saeculum, I get firsthand insight into the issues that plagued Rome when my clients come to me with the issues of land, food, and water. I am tasked with
This investigation strives to compare and contrast of the role of women during the Roman Empire and the Middle Ages. The inquiry is significant because in order to understand the culture and ethics of the Roman Empire and the Middle Ages it is crucial to understand the importance of women. The issues that will be addressed include: the role of women in the Roman Empire, the role of women in the Middle Ages, and the similarities as well as the differences of the two major time periods. This investigation will focus on the time period of 27 BC to 1485 BC and the places investigated will include Europe, more specifically Rome. This will be accomplished through a detailed examination of the role of women in the
On that first fateful day, when Romulus struck down his own brother Remus, the cauldron of Rome was forged in blood and betrayal. The seeds on the Palatine hill cultured one of the most potent and stretching empires of human history. Though this civilization seemingly wielded the bolts of Zeus, they were infested with violence, vanity, and deception. Yet, one man—or seemingly “un”-man—outshone and out-graced his surroundings and everyone within it. He brought Rome several victories and rescued his beloved country from an early exodus, thus providing her a second beginning. This man was Marcus Furius Camillus, and against a logical and emotional mind, he was oft less than loved and celebrated. At times he was disregarded, insulted and even
According to Peter Grevious, the American Revolution was caused by the requirement to obey a supreme authority that sent the colonists into total neglect. As the wife of the Old Nobleman who the settlers were under the arm of, “she was an omnipotent Goddess and ought to be worshipped as such, that it was the height of impudence and disobedience in the new settlers to dispute her authority,” (7). The settlers pledged agreements with the Old Nobleman through The Great Paper, obeying the regulations set. The wife then has an unlimited amount of authority over the settlers, making her utterly supreme. With her power, the wife observed “that the new settlers were very fond of a particular kind of cider… she published another edict obliging them
The story of Lucius Tarquinius Superbus, the last of the seven legendary kings of Rome and son (or perhaps grandson) of the nobly depicted King Lucius Tarquinius Priscus, provides an excellent demonstration of how Livy intended his history to be a “splendid monument” (Livy Preface, p.4) from which one could find both examples to follow and ones to learn from. While most of the legendary kings are described in a largely positive light and seem to demonstrate the honor and tradition of the romans, and are therefore among the examples to be followed. Tarquinius Superbus is without a doubt an example to be learned from, a story of trickery and tyranny, which was very different from the others, and which future generations must seek to avoid.
This narrative story line is filled with compiled letters between a group of people who hold importance during the first century. This group of men were Antipas who was a wealthy man from Pergamum, Calpurnius a nobleman from Ephesus, and eventually Luke who was a man of many roles but most importantly a servant to God. The book starts off in the year 92AD, between Antipas and Calpurnius on the January 5th. Antipas doing what most men in his position do,which is sending Calpurnius an invitation to
An example of a major source, which chiefly opposes the alternate interpretations provided by numerous other sources, is evident through the portrayals delivered by Tacitus in the Annals which contain a prospect of first century Rome, from Tiberius to Domitian. However in general, Tacitus offers a vivid representation of the Roman Empire, and doesn’t overlook the deadly exploitation and inhumaneness of the time, especially in regards to Augustus. This same view is further supported as Tacitus states that the “Protection of the laws were continually deranged by violence, intrigue and corruption” and that he, along with all of the Roman people, were “Stript of equality…” as they “…all looked up to the commands of a sovereign without the least
In the “restless, peripatetic life” Sollmann explains how Cicero’s letters are able to allow historians to better understand how patricians spent their time. From sunrise to sundown, the Roman gentleman would be on business; however, for literary men like Cicero the hours where business was not necessary was spent reading and writing or for other men who were not as literarily inclined: to exercise and to bathing - as “early to bed and early to rise was a rule made natural” due to subpar artificial lighting. This shows the Roman patrician as a hard-working,
Pubius Cornelius Tacitus (55-118AD), was a historian from an equestrian family born in either norther Italy or Southern Gaul who wrote Biography of Agricola in 98 AD followed by Histories in 105 AD. The first document, an excerpt from Biography of Agricola 29-32 is a fictional speech from the British war chief named Calgacus who was preparing his people for battle against Gnaes Julius Agricola the governor of the Roman provinces in Briton from 78-85 AD and also Tacitus’ father-in-law. The second document is an excerpt from Tacitus’ Histories 4.74 which is also a fictional speech. This speech given through the view point of Petillius Cerialis a Roman general who stopped the revolt of the people of Gaul in 70AD. In my essay I am going to assess whether or not Tacitus’ motives throughout the speeches are to shed negative light on Roman conquest and Roman rule of its conquered territories.
With this narrative and spirit of historical conundrums in mind, we will examine two primary Ancient Roman sources. The first will be Augustus’s Res Gestae Divi Augusti and the second, Book Ten
Have you ever thought about how everyday lives of ancient romans were? Popular culture in ancient Rome by Jerry Toner gives you an insight of the everyday lives of non-elite romans and problems they would often face. Since the main population consisted of the bourgeois citizens, Toner concentrates his focus on their perspective of life. Toner gives you a vivid representation of the lives of ancient romans by providing a thorough explanation of the middle class lives. Toner touches on a variety of subjects including social life, religious beliefs, and leisure. This book gives you an in depth comprehension of non-elite romans focusing on undisclosed topics of their everyday lives and problems they faced by giving you captivating details of their rational thoughts.
There are two distinct stories regarding the foundation of ancient Rome, with claims to two founders. The story of Romulus and Remus describes the literal foundation of the city where as the Aeneid addresses the origins in the foundations of the Roman people being descended from Aeneas. In regards to their use to historians, though there is debate as to the legitimacy of historical facts, looking beyond the actual story and noting the difference between versions particularly in Romulus and Remus can give clues of Roman society during the time of it being written. The information contained within the stories of foundation reflects the needs of the Romans citizens and the influences of the era.
BibliographyCorbishley, Mike. Cultural Atlas for Young People: Ancient Rome. New York: Facts on File, 1989.
Galinsky adds a new dynamic to the telling of Augustus’ life with his interpretation and depiction of the leadership and the progress made at the time. He is attempting to show the reader a more rounded picture of the life of this young emperor. The strict structure of the overall book is great in reminding the reader that this is a recount of historical events. This along with the inset boxes may at times dry out the entertaining aspects of the story being told. That being said this book is well put together and unlike the average historical text has foudn a way to keep audiences engaged while keeping structure, and fact in unison.