Pietas In Ancient Rome

The quest towards developing the ideal human character is sought after in both the Bhagavad-Gita and Confucius’ The Analects. In the Bhagavad Gita, the concept of sacred duty is prevalent throughout the text, as the warrior-prince Arjuna faces a moral dilemma throughout the story. In Confucius’ The Analects, filial piety is a virtue which impacts an individual’s character in relation to the Confucian religion. Sacred duty within the Gita requires the protection of one’s dharma, which is defined as the religious and moral law that manages an individual’s actions. Within Confucian thought, filial piety is a virtue of respect for one’s elders, ancestors, and parents within a community. Despite the differences between the contextual meanings of developing the ideal human, both the Bhagavad Gita and The Analects utilize their teachings towards developing ideal human character within the themes of sacred duty and filial piety with the goal of establishing a set of communal ethics to be maintained through different caste systems, essentially protecting the existing social structure. To argue this claim, I will begin by analyzing the similar intentions of deviating from selfish actions and thoughts to develop ideal human character. I will then express how the nature of this character leads towards the development of one’s sacred duty and filial piety. I will then connect these two ideas to show how together they work to develop a communal set of ethics aimed at maintaining order

In Roman religion, it was crucial “to serve the gods and ensure goodwill” (The Roman Republic). The English word “Religion” comes from the Latin word “Religio” (Overview of Religion). Latin was the ancient language of Rome, but for the Roman’s the translation meant something very different from what we understand it as today. To the Romans, “Religio” translated to “ the fear of gods” (Overview of Religion). Romans invested much of their time serving the gods, performing rituals and sacrifices in honor of them. On the contrary, Greek religion did not prefer to execute rituals as much as the Romans. Greeks were more lenient when honoring the gods. They did not have a theological dogma: belief or principle. There was no specific way in which the religion was executed. The Greeks many gods had different purposes and works they performed. They relied more on the verbal spread of the religion rather than having a written form. Although different, both religions had forms of praising and honoring their gods. Greek and Roman religion have many differences and similarities that impacted each group of people.

At one time, all of Rome was united by a common religion. This religion, commonly referred to as the Roman religion, was derived from the religion in Greece. Members of this religion, which included the majority, if not all, of the Roman citizens, worshiped many different gods, including the creator or father god, Jupiter, the sun god, Apollo, the god of inspiring wars, Mars, and many others as well. The popularity of this religion began to decline when Christianity arose. It appealed to the majority of the people, particularly the lower class and slaves, who now had something to put their hope and faith in. This religion spread rapidly, and Roman emperors felt that because it was so influential it would become a possible threat. These leaders began persecuting Christians, but many Romans had already committed to this religion and refused to abandon it because they viewed it as the most important part of their life. This led to a lack of patriotism in Roman citizens who then rejected politics and became independent of the government.

In Roman society, the concept of pietas was significant in a variety of ways, the concept of pietas could be applied to a plethora of situations ranging from “service to the state, reverence of the gods, and appropriate loyalty to one 's family - as well as a certain subordination to those things for the greater good” ("Roman Virtues", 2001). But, how did the citizens of ancient

The policy “bread and circuses” is a system made up during the Pax Romana. To keep the people of Rome ignorant to ensure that they will never rebel against their own government when the Roman Republic turn into an Empire. The Roman Empire will keep the people distracted by distributing free food and staging huge spectacles. The Roman Empire would pay for bread and circuses by collecting taxes from the people.

A Roman Impact on the United States Ancient Greece and Rome were both very influential to the United States. Greece is located in Europe and greatly known by its capital Athens. Rome is located in Italy and known for its influential architecture and culture. Ancient Rome more accurately reflects the social and political makeup of the United States compared to Ancient Greece. Ancient Greece positively influenced the United States in terms of economic aspects.

Throughout history many civilizations and empires have been considered great. The greatest empire ever was Ancient Rome. Starting in 509 B.C.E and lasting until 476 C.E (Ancient Rome and the Rise of Christianity, 1000 BCE–500 CE,). Ancient Rome started off as a small town on central Italy’s Tiber river and ended up expanding all the way to most Europe, Britain, much of western Asia, Northern Africa and the Mediterranean islands (Ancient Rome). Ancient Rome helped spread many languages, the western alphabet, the modern calendar and the religion of christianity all around the globe (Ancient Rome). They are the most powerful and dominating empire throughout history. Ancient Rome was the greatest empire throughout history.

The Roman empire lasted from 700 BCE until 476 Ce, and incredible 1,176 years. But how did Rome fall? Some say political squabbling. Others argue invasions. However, the downfall of Rome was due to military problems, and natural disasters. Earthquakes brought buildings to the ground, while illnesses killed thousands of innocent people. Also, the military was losing it’s edge. They decided to become lazy, beginning to think too much of themselves.

Ancient Rome had a huge impact on what we now have here in America. For example some of our building mirror Rome's buildings. Also our government is almost a replica of Rome's government. The way some building were made is similar to the ones in Rome. First the US Supreme Court has a Greek style to the architect.

- Romans believed in many different deities and entities which were relevant to different goods and activities, including agriculture. These deities were given offerings as well as had sacrifices and rituals performed in their name by priests chosen from the aristocracy. In return, the gods were to favor the Roman state.

The Aeneid focuses on the founding of Rome by Aeneas, a pious Trojan who has escaped the falling of Troy. Aeneas demonstrates pietas, the devotion to one’s family, mission, and homeland. Like Aeneas, Jesus in The Gospel of Matthew possesses pietas as he constantly shows dedication to his people, fate, and country. Each fulfills his duties, whether it is through finding his people’s new land or spreading the word of his god. The cultures the authors lived in during the time the texts were written shaped their literary figures beliefs and actions. Aeneas and Jesus both have variations of pietas.

Throughout the history of Rome, from the monarchy to the late empire, religion had played a great role in it's society and was involved in almost every aspect of the life of the Roman citizen. It was common for each house to have it's own patron god/gods and ,on special occasions, the head of the house would make a sacrifice to the personal gods of the family. Also, great festivals were usually held in honor of certain gods and would include spectacles like chariot races and Gladiatorial fights.

Religion played a significant role in the Roman civilization but, “many people believe that Rome was not a religious place. What they probably mean is that it was not a moral place.” (Burrell, 65) The Romans had innumerable gods that they worshiped which included giving gifts and sacrificing for their gods. Sacrificing animals was common for ancient Roman civilization. The idea of sacrificing came from the people before the Roman Empire was built. Religion primarily used sacrificing as a means of showing appreciation to the gods but later became a way to get things from the gods. The increases in the expansion of Rome lead to an increasing number of sacrifices. Roman sacrifice was done in many different ways and there were numerous

Pietas is the duty to your family but more importantly it is the duty to the community you are in Ancient Rome. In ancient Rome there is a large emphasis on serving for your community. In Ancient Greece, an individual wanted Kleos for your own benefit. The opposite was wanted in Ancient Rome, an individual wanted to serve their community and make sure all the people and the community was taken care of. It can also be described as a persons respect for the natural order socially, politically, and religiously.

It is important while reading both primary and secondary sources to understand the psychological processes that create differences between people of various cultures in different time periods. Understanding why people in ancient Rome commonly exercise practices such as exposure is necessary to understanding the relationship between parent and child- and successively the perspective the society had on children. The social tendencies in Ancient Rome were heavily dependent on social status and sex; all aspects of society, even the children, were discriminated dependent on these variables. It is often interpreted that people in ancient Rome had a less personal relationship with children, therefore affecting the implications of children in society.