Ethos In Ancient Rome

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The main feature of the Roman aristocratic ethos in the second century BC was the set of goals, values that the ancient Romans had and the way they achieved them. These were born out of the military and political careers of ambitious individuals and involved the gain of valued high office and much praised famous deeds. The Roman society revolved around turning the military, the politics, religio and gens to conform to the necessities of the aristocratic class. Through the works of the ancient writers/historians, Polybius, Plutarch, Livy, Apian and Cicero about the life of Scipio Aemilianus, this essay will set out to indicate the strengths and weaknesses of such value system.

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