Summary Of The Film Pompeii And Quo Vadis

The sun beat down on the warriors, the heat of the stone burning their feet. Slowly, ever so slowly it seemed, they walked, joyous music playing as people celebrated. But what were they celebrating? Nero thought. He looked out ahead, watching the progression crawl forward. Some of the men waved to the crowd on either side, making children squeal in delight. Others trudged ahead, heads bent to the ground. Helmets adorned most, shining blindingly in the mid morning sun. Sweat dripped down Nero’s spine, making him shiver despite the heat. He adjusted his grip on his trident, then readjusted. Nerves can do that to a person. His impending doom was mere hours away, blinding his sensibility everyone called worthy of the gods themselves. But where had that sensibility gotten him? Nowhere.

In both readings we receive a picture of Rome that the writers paint for us. Augustus provides for us a very biased view on Rome. In “ The Deeds of the Divine Augustus”, Augustus makes a point that Rome is superior to all other places. He takes pride in Rome, so much so that he does not point out the faults in Rome, rather he praises it for all its glory. In contrast, Juvenal’s “Satires”, takes a more realistic approach and explains to us the downfalls of Rome. He explains the good and the bad of Rome and writes with sense of truth. He explains to us that Rome is not perfect by any means. Through his writings, Juvenal is hoping to help the citizens realize their faults and return to their traditional Roman values, through this we can come to an understanding of the true Rome.

Events which stretch as far back as the reforms of the Gracchi brothers’ meant that the Rome was facing a Republic that was already deteriorating before Pompey had stepped into power. While Pompey’s quest for power was harmful, many other factors were also baleful to the Republic, and were hence instrumental in its decline. Gnaeus Pompeius’s measures to gain power were harmful because it was primarily a paradox to the principles of being part of a Republic with all its notions of shared and short power. The fundamental reason why there were other reasons for the decline of the system are that the military power was given to him, the already weak Senate, and the fact that Pompey was not the only player in the breakdown of the Republic due

In examining the histories presented by Livy and Tacitus, it is crucial to take into account the agendas of the respective authors. While both set out to portray as accurate of a historical representation as possible, it is evident that both renowned historians and rhetoricians intended to deliver several significant messages regarding their thoughts on Rome. Both authors do, indeed, acknowledge the greatness of Rome and champion the core of Roman values; however, Livy and Tacitus tactfully elaborate on different troubles that face the Roman Empire. The histories put forth by these great men aim to present the past as an aid to promote

"Let Nero be ever before your eyes, swollen with the pride of a long line of Caesars… an Emperor condemned by his own people… Nero will always be regretted"

In the works of Greek and Roman literature many aspects of their writings are similar. For example, in both Greek and Roman literature universality is stressed which means that we are only moved by the fall of the heroes in their plays because we can relate to their situations and project ourselves into similar circumstances. I believe that is completely true, only through the fall of our heroes we see ourselves in the characters. Before their downfalls, we don’t see us in them because they seem basically perfect. Since none of us are perfect it is only when they make mistakes leading to their downfall we see that the heroes are like us.

In Julia Hejduk’s article, “Jupiter’s Aeneid: Fama and Imperium”, she defends her position against other scholars in her discipline, that the Jupiter that Virgil depicts in his epic poem, “the Aeneid” is concerned solely with power (imperium) and adulation (fama), and that he cannot be trusted to act unless driven by others praising these values or desecrating them. Her argument extends the callous descriptions and actions of Jupiter to those of Augustus Caesar. In summary, Hejduk argues that through depicting Jupiter in this way, Virgil criticizes both Augustus and his values, and as an extension the values the entire Roman Empire has been built upon. He emphasizes how war is depicted as more significant than peace or happiness since the founding of Rome. Virgil’s

Before Augustus’ reign began, Civil war had ravished the basic principles 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 to portray the cruciality of pietas by redefining Greek epic heroism to include pietas. Each comparison 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.

In his work, The History of Rome, Livy focuses on how the standard of morality of Rome is reflected in its leader. Livy does not hide Romulus’s ignobility by only telling the mythological version of the founding; instead, Livy provides more practical explanations because this allowed him to show Romulus as the dishonorable person that Rome needed in order to establish herself. In this way Livy could better connect the integrity of early Rome with the integrity of Romulus. Livy wanted the reader to realize that Rome would have never survived unless it had a ruthless first ruler such as Romulus.

Greeks valued freedom and public service. Loyalty to one’s city and state was highly valued from every member of society. In “The Funeral Oration of Pericles,” Pericles praises the sacrifice and patriotism of Athenian soldiers. Also in the Mediterranean, Rome had recently changed from a republic to an empire. Although located very close to Greece, the two empires were vastly different. Romans valued military power and conquest. The expansion of the Roman Empire

The sky turned dark as a huge, black cloud rose into the air. Stones, hot ash, and poisonous gases fell down onto the city of Pompeii as the seemingly quiet Mt. Vesuvius erupted in the year 79 A.D. Soon the entire city and all of it’s people were buried under 20 feet of ash. Even though this ancient city lived over 2,000 years ago, their daily life has similarities to ours today. Daily life in Pompeii is similar to us in various ways.

Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus, known as ‘Pompey’ or ‘Pompey the Great’, was a military leader and a politician, who along with Crassus and Caesar formed the first Triumvirate, making him one of the most powerful men in Rome. A man who demanded respect from all, he gained power through his military prowess and influence, and even had the gall to give himself the title Magnus, which was Latin for the word ‘Great’. Pompey obviously was following the steps of the Macedonian General and leader Alexander the Great. Pompey’s life was littered with amazing military feats and achievements, yet despite his connections and military might, Pompey had an army of veterans, and in particular was strong in the naval area, the ever popular and legendary Julius Caesar triumphed between the titans for the right to rule.

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.

The male/female dichotomy within the Roman Empire laid the foundation for the social structure of the ancient city of Pompeii. The reading of Pompeii as a Window on the Roman World, displayed that the people of Pompeii structured their social class system to reflect the Roman Gods and Goddesses. Based upon visual aids, Roman women were depicted to have lesser value than men in society and religiously, even within the divine realm.

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.