The As A Member Of Ancient Roman Society

I chose to read and respond to Deirdre Sullivan’s essay, Always Go to the Funeral. In her writing, Sullivan spoke about her experiences with death, and how her father shaped her life by insisting that she always attend funerals. She went on to explain how this developed into a personal philosophy, about getting over small inconveniences; because doing the things you really don’t want to and probably don’t even have to, could mean the world to someone else.

Roman society was truly all about the wealth a person had in everything that was done. Death was one of the very few things however to where even the poorest romans were treated decently. This is because it was viewed politically and socially right to lay a soul to rest. If the wealthy didn’t assist the lower class with this, they would be haunted by the evil spirits (or so they believed). For this reason, burial soceities were formed, known as the ‘collegia.’

Some policies and institutions of the Roman Republic were useful to help them succeed in conquering first Italy and then the Mediterranean world. Before of the institution of the republic, the romans were a monarchy since their beginning and they were basically a pastoral people. Rome suffer several changes and improvements under the control of the Etruscan kings. The Etruscan were civilization settled north of Rome in Etruria, and they once had control over almost all the Italic peninsula. The Etruscans influences in Rome were profound, they transformed Rome from a pastoral community to a city (91). The Etruscan built the street and roads that help the development of temples, markets, shops, streets, and houses. They basically brought urbanization to Rome. It is fairly to say that the Rome republic was a fusion between the elements of the Etruscan civilization and the Rome elements. The combination of the different political institutions and policies made the Romans succeed in their conquest territories.

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)

The greek and roman civilizations were very influential to our modern day civilization, for example our government, sporting events, and medicine first became widely spread in their culture. In document 6, the text explains the branches of government during ancient rome. Their government had a significant influence in our government today. For example it split up the power between the branches and we use similar branches today such as the judicial branch. The Romans created a system of government which influenced many other cultures.

Additionally, our quilt making together as a class also gave me further insight on another sort of ritual that is practiced during Day of the Dead. As a class, we decided that the theme for our quilt would be family. My own quilt patch honored my older sister and the close relationship that we shared. We had never really been far away from each other our whole lives, so when we were forced to separate for a couple of weeks in Thailand, I was really dejected. I found that making this patch really made me appreciate my sister even more. Likewise, when everyone brought in their individual squares, I observed that most people memorialized a special time with their loved ones. The patches that they made varied from what seemed be trivial everyday moments like eating breakfast as a family to really specific events, like going skiing together with a relative. It made me think about how our busy everyday lives make us take the time we spend with relatives for granted. It’s through rituals like quilt-making that we are truly able to think about how much family means to us. This is what I believe is one of the messages that Day of the Dead tries to communicate with the people who celebrate it.

The purpose behind this paper is to offer a brief review on a book called “Reading Romans in Context: Paul and Second Temple Judaism” . This review will focus on four major components, first being the editor’s information. The editor’s information will cover education, any positions they hold today, and whatever scholarship information that is currently available. The second thing that will be reviewed will be a concise summary of the major theme of the book followed by the third, an honest and courteous evaluation of the book. The fourth thing that will be added is a bibliography at the end of the paper for reference of the book.

In its heyday Ancient Rome was many great thingsm it was the military Powerhouse of the world, it had uncomparable economic power and and at peakm the empire of Rome had over 5 million square kilometres in it 's Territory. The state even had the population of Rome held within their control, as you can imagine this wasn’t done through trnsperency and good morales, but instead through various scare tactics and manipulation, this paper will focus on one aspect of the states control over the Roman citizens, that aspect is control through Religion. To the state in Ancient Rome religion was a tool for social control, they saw that if they could control such an important part of a citizens life as their Religion and beleifs that then that citizen would effectivly behaive in the way the state wished. This paper will first discuss those behind this, the senate, the consuls and the emperor [maybe need to change], will then talk about the control being previlent even with those near the top of the social ladder using the example of the Vesta virgins. After this the Calender and festivals used by the state to have a strong hold of control throughtout someones life will be the topic and finally two state promoted rittuals will be talked and analized.

In the ancient Roman world, religion played the most important role in everyday life, as well as in matters of the state. The Romans looked to the gods for political stability and for control of the unexplainable and natural phenomenon. The gods were believed to control all aspects of Roman life, and for that reason, a great deal of importance was placed in the appropriate worship of the gods. Women played an extremely influential role in ancient Roman religion. Not only did they participate in religious rituals, but some even held religious positions as Vestal Virgins.

The Roman way of life is different and similar to modern day. Though one may not know much over the Roman’s the culture is fascinating and still remembered in history. The clothes, food, customs, and leisure are major in Roman lifestyle.

The Roman family life was a very simple and complex system at the same time. Every aspect of life for the typical Roman family was male dominated, they were in on every decision. The everyday family life was based on social status and diplomatic classifications. Everything from jobs to entertainment that could be participated in was based on gender or social standing within the community. The Romans were very absorbed with different types of entertainment and recreation. Everything about the Roman life revolved around the family, it was the basic unit of their daily lives.

The Roman Republic was a “democratic” republic, which allowed first citizens to vote, and to choose their governors in the senate (Hence, their consuls). However, it was a nation ruled by its aristocracy, and, consequently, the entire Republic`s power was concentrated in a few individuals. Furthermore, the Senate was controlled by Patricians, which directed the government by using wealth to buy control and power over the decisions of the senate and the consuls. This situation aroused the inconformity of the people; as result, a civil war took place in the Republic (destroying it), and then the Roman Empire was born.

Thucydides “Pericles Funeral Oration” is a speech given by Pericles that mainly sanitizes death. Pericles tells the Roman people that their beloved who were soldiers died for the state honorably and that they should not mourn. Pericles goes on a monologue about how the state is amazing, they should be willing to die, and that they should not mourn the dead. Pericles

As a descendent of the deified Emperor Augustus, Agrippina was born into a powerful and respected family. She exploited this power, obtaining a level of influence over her husband and son that was only available to ambitious, imperial men. Her use of manipulation and violence has led ancient writers, such as Tacitus, to describe her political career as inappropriate and excessive. But I will argue against these views. On the contrary, I will show that because of her political achievements, she played a positive role in advancing the Augustan principate in such a way that it was beneficial in keeping with the guise of the ideology of the Roman Republic.

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).