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The Roman Triumphs Analysis

Decent Essays

In Mary Beard’s book, The Roman Triumph, she explores one of the most interesting victory celebrations of the ancient world. Instead of having a small gathering, or even a raucous party, Romans brought what they had seized and carted it through the city. They even brought some people they had captured so that the crowd could know exactly who they triumphed against. This celebration gives historians a view into the Romans lifestyle. Roman triumphs also show what values were important to the Romans and where they found their significance. Using Mary Beard’s book I will demonstrate the nature of Roman triumphs by giving examples from Pompey’s triumph in 61BC, what these triumphs tell historians about the Roman world and why they are significant, and what they tell us about the values the Romans held dear. Triumphs were a very distinguished ceremony in Ancient Roman culture. Receiving a triumph was considered a great honour for Roman generals. They generals would get drawn in a chariot. The plunder he had won would follow him, as well as people he had taken captive. The general’s troops would also follow him through the streets until he arrived at the Temple of Jupiter where he offered a sacrifice to the god. Throughout modern history, many rulers looked back at Rome at how they celebrated their victories. Other monarchs, dynasts, and autocrats wanted to celebrate as the Romans did. Even Napoleon imitated a Roman triumph when he carried what he had taken

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