As the greatest Metropolitan city of its time, Rome’s diversity expounded itself beyond a physical, tangible level, but rather also manifested itself through plethora of myths and other folklore. A defining myth of the city lies in the tale narrated by Plutarch. The aforementioned is Romulus in Remus, one of the strongest recounts created to explain the nebulous, vague foundation of the expansive city. Following the definition detailed by Synnøve des Bouvrie’s, the work is regarded as a myth as it provided a sense of identity to Roman citizens, alluded to the divinity (and in consequence, future successes) of the city, and therefore justified the actions of the city’s principal founders, Romulus and Remus, and overall, is a work of extreme …show more content…
Religion was deeply intertwined with Roman traditions, and therefore was incorporated as a key aspect in many of their stories, with Romulus and Remus posing as no exception. The religious highlights of their tale stems from their birth, by which both brothers were “sprung from the gods” (Langhorne 49). While the story of their birth does render a degree mystery, it also does absolve a part of the latter. The divinity associated with the birth of the founders shows not only the importance of religion in ancient Rome, but also justifies the actions of its founders as their decisions were acted upon and with religious basis. The notion that Rome was a city that was essentially created by those who had a hand in creating the world, amplified the power and esteem Roman citizens had with regards to their city. Deemed in high respects by the original population, and still festively told today, Romulus and Remus must be classified as a myth as it uses theological aspects surrounding the birth of Rome’s founders in order to explain, justify and take pride in the Brothers’, and by extension, the city’s …show more content…
Therefore, the development of Rome usurped the authority of some individual land owners and shifted the equilibrium of other groups. The specific location for the original site of Rome has significant culture value. As stated by Plutarch, the land where Rome stands was once where Romulus and Remus had “their first nourishment” (Langhorne 86). The aforementioned, again, alludes to the religious aspect surrounding the brothers’ early childhood days— full of harsh obstacles that the brothers overcame with their strength as well as with divine interference. In addition, the first meal is particularly important in Roman culture (Langhorne 86). As a consequence, because of the magnanimous significance linked to this particular location (as explained through the text), the development of Rome and consequently, displacement of certain groups of people, is justified. Romulus and Remus, serves as a myth, because its existence and link between history and religion, defends and explains the creation of Rome as a large metropolitan
The Res Gestae Divi Augustus (‘The Deeds of the Divine Augustus’), also known simply as the Res Gestae was a catalogue of the achievements Augustus had made during his life, specifically those that had an obvious positive impact on the Roman people. It was written in 13-14AD (E.S. Ramage, 1987) and presented to the Vestal Virgins alongside Augustus’ will upon his death in 14AD (M.C. Howatson, 1937). The biography, which was carved into bronze pillars outside of Augustus’ mausoleum (M.C. Howatson, 1937), is split into 35 sections; each recognizing a separate part of Augustus’ excellence. The fifteenth, which will be discussed in this commentary, describes the notable largesses donated to the Roman people by Augustus throughout his
Bravery, strength, and leadership are just a few of the characteristics possessed by Theseus of Greece and Romulus of Rome. Plutarch, a Greek historian, explains lives each of these men. These men were different from any of the other men during Ancient Greece and Rome; according to Plutarch, they were descendants of the divine, which ultimately destined them for greatness. Throughout their lives, they would achieve power through various events and establish the societies and politics of two the greatest cities in history. The paths that each took and the events that occurred in their lives molded them into the heroes while also contributing to the legacy they would leave behind.
Clearly, there is a distinction between the world of the Roman gods and the world that everyday people live in. Man, according to Ovid, has experienced a gold, sil...
Livy’s The Rise of Rome serves as the ultimate catalogue of Roman history, elaborating on the accomplishments of each king and set of consuls through the ages of its vast empire. In the first five books, Livy lays the groundwork for the history of Rome and sets forth a model for all of Rome to follow. For him, the “special and salutary benefit of the study of history is to behold evidence of every sort of behaviour set forth as on a splendid memorial; from it you may select for yourself and for your country what to emulate, from it what to avoid, whether basely begun or basely concluded.” (Livy 4). Livy, however, denies the general populace the right to make the same sort of conclusions that he made in constructing his histories. His biased representation of Romulus and Tarquin Superbus, two icons of Roman history, give the readers a definite model of what a Roman should be, instead of allowing them to come to their own conclusion.
Guerber, H. A. Myths of Greece and Rome. New York: American Book Company. 1921. Print.
Rome, even at its beginnings, proved to be a force to be reckoned with. It’s rapid growth and accumulation of power and repeated victories over powerful neighbors set Rome in a position of great authority and influence. As the leader of early Rome, Romulus’ effective command of his men and governance of his people provided the foundation for the building of a great city. Livy emphasizes Romulus’ possible divine origins and strong ties to deities as a validation and reinforcement of his ability to rule. A nation’s sole defense cannot be just bricks and mortar, it requires an army and a will and Romulus was able to successfully take action against the aggressors when action was needed.
In Titus Livius’, The Early History of Rome, Livy takes on the task of documenting Rome’s early history and some of the famous individuals who help contribute to the ‘greatness’ of Rome. Livy dedicates an entire portion of his writing to describe the reigns of the first seven kings of Rome; all who influence the formation and governance of Rome in some way. However, of the seven kings in early Roman history, King Romulus and King Numa Pompilius achieved godlike worship and high esteem from their fellow Romans. While both highly important and respected figures in Rome’s history, the personalities and achievements of King Romulus and King Numa Pompilius are complete opposites of one another. Despite the differences found in each king and of their rule over Rome, both Romulus and Numa Pompilius have a tremendous influence in the prosperity and expansion of Rome in its early days.
She uses these stories to try and explain what the ideas, attitudes and beliefs are that make up the “Roman Way.” Summary The Roman Way is basically an informal history of Roman civilization as Edith Hamilton interprets the writings of the greatest literary figures from around the time of 200 B.C. to 100 A.D. Some of these writers include Cicero, with his vast assortment of letters; Catullus, the romantic poet; and Horace, the storyteller of an unkind and greedy Rome. They are three affluent white men from around the same period of time, although each of them had very different styles of writings and ideologies.
Favro, Diane G.. The urban image of Augustan Rome. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1996. (266)
Tacitus. The Annals of Tacitus. Edited and annotated by Henry Furneaux. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1907.
Dio, Cassius. "Roman History - Book 50." 17 June 2011. University of Chicago. 31 October 2011 .
Marcel Le Glay, Jean-Louis Voisin, Yann Le Bohec. A History of Rome. West Sussex, UK: Wiley-Blackwell, 2009.
Roman mythology applies to the religious system, and origins of ancient Rome. These attributes are found through the art and literature that the Romans provide. Although, the Romans have supernatural elements they still proceeded to treat their traditional stories historically. The Romans focused on how a person contributes to the Roman community, and merely concentrate on politics and morality. Catholicism is one of the most common known religions. Catholicism focuses on the traditions, and values of the Christian churches. The two main things that differentiate Roman mythology, and modern day catholicism is their: beliefs and religion.
Heichelheim, Fritz, Cedric A. Yeo, and Allen M. Ward. A History Of The Roman People. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall Inc., 1984.
The myth of Romulus and Remus, as well as the myth of Aeneas contribute to the emergence of Rome and its people. Romulus and Remus are credited with founding of the city of Rome itself, while Aeneas was credited with the founding of the Roman race (Ott, 105). The history of Rome cannot be told without both of these myths being a part of the story. Each has both similarities and vast differences to the other. When Gods are involved punishment and reward seem to go hand-in-hand.