Roma before Pax Romana

Several of the reforms that Emperor Augustus Caesar implemented were successful in fundamentally changing the political, economic, and social issues that Rome faced. Most importantly, there were qualities and virtues that maintained the peace and stability of Rome, three of them being growth, harmony, and happiness. These principles are very simple, but without them, the society of Rome would certainly be much different as well as our society on Earth today. In the same way that the Romans grew to find their state of harmony and happiness, the people of our society attempt to recreate that world.

Pride is an emotion in each human being possesses. The Athenian's and American people's prides plays a powerful part in their country for we are proud of the country that we live in. An individual is patriotic to its country for it is the place where we are born, raised, and hopefully be the place where we can make a difference before we die. It is the country our ancestors built and we value it in our history. A country's history can represent many different aspects of their culture and civilization. The Athenian, Pericles thought precisely just that. Pericles states the military might of the Athenian navy, the adaptability of the Athenian people, the Athenian government and the roles of its individual citizens, art appreciation, and how they are compared to their neighboring countries. His views that bias Athens was profound and in depth which put the city and its people on a pedestal.

The Pax Romana was a time of relative peace during the Roman Empire. Although there were conflicts during The Pax Romana it was generally a time of prosperity and expansion for Rome, mainly under the leadership of Augustus and Tiberius who successfully expanded borders and made peace. Pax Romana is Latin for peaceful Rome. It was from 27 BC to 180 AD, from the end of the Republican Civil wars to the death of Marcus Aurelious. Augustus started ruling when Pax Romana began, so it is also called the age of Augustus. During this period Rome expanded and fought other provinces when they revolted or taking over. There were more peaceful effects happening and the art and architecture was flourishing. There were a few different leaders during this

The Greeks and the Romans were among the most influential societies in the history of the world. Evidence of Greek or Roman influence can be found in almost every culture or country that has ever existed. Though both cultures were different in practice and incredibly competitive with one another, their politics and their beliefs set the stage for future civilizations, including those of the modern world. In particular, the values and practices of Greek and Roman citizenship and politics, more than any other cultures, influences American policies today in terms of values, government, and self-image.

young man can look forward to a time when he ultimately can spend raising his family. It was not

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.

After nearly half a millennium of rule, the Romans began to lose their grip on Europe in the fifth century. The Fall of Rome left in its ruin political chaos, confusion, wide spread devastation, although the Romans at the time had no idea the fall of Rome was occurring. Divide of Western and Eastern Rome, invasions, military disloyalty, and economic instability are some of the factors associated with the fall of Rome. In AD 476, the last Roman emperor in the west, Romulus Augustulus, was removed from power by Odovacar, leader of the Goths.

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.

Both Livy and Aeneas constructed masterworks of literature that would be read by man for over two millennia. What these two authors composed would shape and construct what it truly meant to be Roman, not only to those living during the era, but to those living in the far future as well. The straight facts about past kings by Livy, and the telling tale of an epic hero named Aeneas by Virgil both portrayed the importance of pietas and military fortitude. On the one hand, there is pietas; now seen as one of the highest virtues of ancient Romans, a value that signifies respect and duty to the gods, family, and country above thyself. While military fortitude, or the act of being courageous in spite of the pain or harm that may ensue, was another theme that Livy and Virgil both interacted with that would change how Romans are viewed forever.

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.

For example, “We still use its alphabet, exploit its literary genres, inhabit its cities, preserve its architectural styles, and follow its schedule of holidays.” (Murphy 2). Here, one is able to identify that contemporary day America still possesses and develops upon a myriad of features of the Roman Empire. The educated elite within Rome impacted the perspectives and virtues of Americas Founding Fathers, as their values enabled them to fulfill their task. As seen here, “The educated elite of the thirteen-colonies were steeped in the Roman code of virtus…they held fast to their rustic virtues: sanctity of family, sobriety of conduct and demeanor, a stern sense of discipline… Romans achieved their mission, divinely inspired, to rule the world…they were the values the Founding Fathers.” (6). Here, one is demonstrated that the perspectives of the Rome significantly influenced the outlook of Americas Founding Fathers, which allowed them to accomplish their tasks. Additionally, the advancements of the Roman Empire influenced America’s political leaders as well. For instance, “By the time Eisenhower reached San Francisco, sixty-two days later, he understood that America needed what Rome had possessed, a network of good public roads. When he became president, he created the interstate highway system.” (13). Therefore, Rome’s advancements during the

Aeneas had to give up true love in order not to disrespect or defy Rome.  Giving up true love is a pretty tall order to fulfill for any reason , let alone to give it up because of patriotism.  I consider myself a patriot , but I would not give up anything like true love for my country.  When the Romans read the Aeneid they were supposed to understand how important the state was and how much of a duty they had to do what they could for it.  Rome was supreme and was to be honored more that anything. The Aeneid showed the people what Aeneas and others went through to start the republic.  That’s why  it should be honored , for all those hard ships.  This is an idea aside from all the other political references.

Before Augustus came to power, Civil war had ravished the basic principle of the Roman people. Piety, the warning to “fulfil our duties towards our country, our parents, or others connected with us by ties of blood” was undermined by faction. The duty towards country, parents and relatives was less of a bond because faction determined duty rather that Pietas. Thus Rome, a city founded in pietas, was that foundational principle. internal faction undermined the principles of pietas and corrupted its role in the city. Rome needed a moral reform towards pietas; Rome needed a refocus on the roots of the empire, its duty towards its ancestors, and unity based in pietas. Commissioned by Augustus, Virgil constructs the Aeneid so that it portrays the cruciality of pietas by redefining Greek epic heroism to include pietas. Each comparason of aeneas to another greek hero emphasises the pietas within him, showing how he is better because of it and combining the heroism of all the Greek heroes into Aeneas. By doing this, virgil shows that to unify Rome through pietas is to harness Rome’s power. Thus, Virgil reveals to the Romans a virtue which allows the individual Roman citizen embody and partake in the glory of Rome.

This Roman influence transcends into the modern world where nationalism is vital in the creation of new states. For example, during the decolonization period, countries used propaganda similar to that of The Aeneid to strengthen their independence movement. Furthermore, actors within these nations fought for the greater good of the building of their nation… like that of the building of Rome. Vergil writes, “…to rule mankind, and make the world obey, disposing peace and war by thy own majestic war; to tame the proud…”

Intro – Begin by talking about how people often see Aeneid by Virgil as focusing on the events surrounding the Trojan war, but an equally important part of the story is the prevalent theme of duty. For instance, if one looks at Aeneas one can see his devotion towards caring for his people, and his persistence to follow his duty. Because of the emphasize that Virgil places on Aeneas devotion to his people and his duty to obey the gods, one can begin to theorize that Virgil believed duty was the most important quality a man could possess. Thesis: Often times, the Aeneid carries the reputation as a book centering around the founding of Rome, however, without the constant reminder of duty, one cannot fully view Virgil’s story as he intended.