- Published: January 16, 2022
- Updated: January 16, 2022
- University / College: Johns Hopkins University
- Level: Masters
- Language: English
- Downloads: 46
The history of the Romans is presented through indicating their military superiority and how they intended to maintain their culture. Despite their conservative nature, it remains essential to point out their cosmopolitan nature portrayed through the adoption of habits from their neighbors’ and foreigners. The Greeks Etruscan remains the most influential cultures that the Romans borrowed (Garnsey and Saller, 2012). The paper, therefore examines the roman family setup as part of the most held up culture and the significance of these family virtues. A close attention is also paid to how they managed to maintain these attributes with the growing cosmopolitan change arising from the majority of tribes that included Arabic.
First consideration relates to the Roman family that stems from the society. The ancient Rome implied a man’s world in all aspects of life from politics, society as well as the family. Man possessed power as well as purse-strings allowing them to decide even whether a baby will live or die. Men dominated the families characterized by the oldest male leading the family of any Roman life referred to as “ paterfamilias” indicating the father of the family. He took responsibility for family’s property as well as business affairs and had the power to conduct religious rites for the family (Garnsey and Saller, 2012). Only the paterfamilias could own property irrespective of their age until death. The sons proved crucial in enhancing family continuity in the Romans culture. The other aspect of family in the Roman Culture relates to “ Materfamilias” representing a married woman or and likewise indicating to as mother of the family. Usually younger than her husband, the wife would manage the household affairs.
Although the early Romans pretended to be conservatives, they borrowed cultural practices from their neighbors mostly the Etruscans and the Greeks. The, however implemented their stamp in a unique manner upon borrowing. For example, colosseums and satire used for entertainment still exists as well as aqueducts for water supply. For example, the colosseum amphitheater commonly referred to as the Flavian amphitheater was borrowed from the Greek and remains a well-known structure of the Romans as it still exists (Garnsey and Saller, 2012). Another culture borrowed from the Greek is the Roman Theater that that was a native dance within the Greek culture as indicated in situations recognizable in editions of Shakespeare. Another borrowed cultural aspect borrowed from Etruscan is the Roman gladiators that use to fight as a means of entertaining the crowds. The Romans adopted the culture and spread it to the tribes they conquered making it look theirs.
Through continued conquering of their neighbors including the Senex Cartago, Unum among others, the Roman society became exposed to a lot of cosmopolitan cultures. To maintain their virtues, the Romans ensured the new tribes adopted the Roman culture. Rather than mistreating and killing their defeated foes, they created friendly relationships with them. The conquered states were allowed to retain self-governance with no tributes required (Garnsey and Saller, 2012). In return faith developed among the conquered states and they took it as an opportunity to learn more from the Romans thus thereby ensuring the Roman culture remained dominant. Through signing of treaties, the adopted states would adhere to the Roman rule as well as providing the Roman Empire with soldiers. The approach ensured the spread of the Roman culture as throughout different states as opposed to its elimination (Garnsey and Saller, 2012). Consequently, majority of those other tribes were subtle to influence change of culture among the Romans that possessed a vast geographical area as well as population.
Reference
Garnsey, P., & Saller, R. (2012). The Roman Empire: Economy, society, and culture. Berkeley: University of California Press.