Roman Kinship Societies

A major part of society, ranging from the beginning of time until present day, has been the aspect of social classes and the distinguishing features between the different levels. In Giuseppe Di Lampedusa’s novel The Leopard, through the use of different characters to symbolize the different social classes and the relationships between them, the author successfully distinguished and defined the different groups in nineteenth century Italian society. A special spotlight is shown on the aristocracy as that is the class the main character, Prince Fabrizio, belongs to. It is seen through the novel quite clearly the distinction between the different social classes ,the relationships between them, and why characters in the different classes behave as they do.

The Roman Empire is well known for their patriarchal society, and for being a society in which a person’s morals and virtues were a prudent portion of their identity. In ancient times, Roman’s based a majority of their philosophy off of their moralistic standards. The Romans began to distinguish themselves through applying their morals and virtues to their philosophy, and in turn became a society in which an individual’s actions were governed in large part, by their moral compass. A classic example of this application can be seen in the Roman concept of pietas. For Roman citizens, the idea of pietas, or “dutifulness” was a highly important aspect of an individual’s life (Sayre, 2015). Although the concept of pietas was applicable to all Roman citizens, it was especially important to males, particularly fathers, who were to be regarded with the upmost respect and revered to the greatest extent possible. The following essay will discuss the definition and significance of the Roman concept of pietas, and will provide the reader with a example of how Roman’s applied this concept to their everyday lives.

The Greek and Roman social structures highlight the differences in their development and transformation. This includes gender roles and relationships, family and kinship, social and economic classes and racial and moral construction.

Kinship is the cornerstone for how people within a society relate to others and race lineages. Many societies trace their lineage through the father, which is called patrilineal, or through the mother which is called matrilineal. The Iroquois nation traced their kinship through the matrilineal decent lines. Kinship directly relates to how family groups think, act and live along side each other. The culture of the Iroquois can also be compared to how many American families relate to one another as well.

Kinship is usually much more of a cohesive social force in non-Western societies. Kin group members internalize a corporate identity - the family is viewed as an extension of the self. Often large, pyramid-shaped kin groups - usually descendants of one man (or, rarely, woman) and their dependents - serve to organize political, military, economic, and religious activities.

Greece influenced roman societies and modern day societies politically as explained in documents 1, 2, 4, and 6. Greece was the first ancient civilization to have a democracy. The basic rule for roman society law system was displayed in the twelve tables. (Doc 2) Many western civilizations adapted this law system as well as other ideas from the roman 12 tables which influenced western societies immensely. The document explains a quote that we still use in modern society which is “every man is innocent until proven guilty.” Octavian Augustus states that after he dies “the foundations which I have laid for its future government will stand firm and stable” the Greeks invented an idea of a ruling senate which today is known as democracy. (Doc 4)

According to Roman society back in the second century A.D., a Roman family was led by the eldest male. In traditional Roman society, family meant all those under the authority of a male head of household, including

…. He became one of the best speakers in Rome, and by care and application, was able to surpass those who were more highly gifted by nature. …. often when Pompey and Cicero and Caesar were reluctant to speak, he undertook the whole management of the case himself, thereby gaining an advantage over them in popularity, since people thought of him as a man willing to take trouble to help others.

The city-state of the early Roman Republic was founded on the idea that, through the effort and contribution of all citizens towards a common objective and purpose that Rome could achieve more for herself and people then the individual glory sought by the Greeks. The pillar of the Roman city-state that separated them from the Greek civilizations that came before where a unique loyalty and sense of duty to the greater Republic of Rome. This sense of duty came from a strong responsibility, first to family and clan and then to Rome. The Roman citizen was expected to take care of his family and the social and economic needs of his clan. “The dream of Scipio” is an excellent illustration of the duty to family and country that the Romans held, “Cherish

BibliographyCorbishley, Mike. Cultural Atlas for Young People: Ancient Rome. New York: Facts on File, 1989.

The Romans once proud and established society who valued duty and responsibility to their Gods, family, friends, and to the state (Jones, Rome, Podcast 1). Romans like to believe they were descended from the noble Trojans. (Backman, Cultures of the West, p.171).

Before Augustus’ reign began, civil war had ravished the basic principles of the Roman people. Faction had undermined pietas, the basis of Roman culture and as Cicero defines it, that which “warns us to fulfil our duties towards our country, our parents, or others connected with us by ties of blood”(De Inventione II). The duty towards country, parents and relatives was less of a bond because faction determined duty rather that pietas. Therefore 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 required a moral reform of pietas; it needed pietas to refocus the roots of the city. Commissioned by Augustus, Virgil fashions the Aeneid in order to portray the necessity of pietas. Virgil compares his work to Homer’s and with each comparison of Aeneas with another Greek hero, he emphasises the pietas within Aeneas. By thus combining the heroism many Greek heroes into Aeneas, Virgil redefines Greek epic heroism to include pietas. By doing this, Virgil shows that Rome's unification through pietas harnesses her power. Thus, Virgil unveils to the Romans a virtue which allows each individual Roman citizen embody and partake in the glory of Rome.

One of the major emphasis of roman society was very much so the law. Unlike the previously covered Greek society that put an emphasis on the individual, roman society put the law at the forefront above all else. This in turn puts a supplementary interest in the attention to detail when it comes to law, order, discipline, and efficiency. Overall, they show to be directed and fully dedicated to realistic and feasible goals. The romans were far more interested in practicality rather than theory and speculation.

societies use kinship as a basis for forming social groups and for classifying people. However,

A. Kinship can be defined as society acknowledging biological connections between people. This view however has been challenged because kinship systems are regarded now as too complex. C. Levi-Strauss (1963) argued; “Kinship…only exists in human consciousness.” The correct way of studying the relationship between biology and kinship systems can only be made by looking at particular societies and cannot be made universally.