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The role of traditions in society
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Just outside the boundaries of the Roman empire of the first and second centuries, beyond the Rhine River, and occupying the area of Central Europe of what is today Germany, lived the tribes of the Germanic people. In Germania, the Roman historian Cornelius Tacitus gave an account of the lifestyles and organization of these peculiar barbarians. These descendants of modern Germans proved peculiar in that they adopted many qualities typical of barbaric cultures, yet they simultaneously practiced virtues more befitting of advanced civilizations, values more ethical than even the Roman empire of the time. The German warriors had a rigid code that defined how to live honorable lives and shameful acts to avoid committing, and the warriors also adhered to strict tradition in their relationship with their king or chief.
The climate of Germany suited the warriors well. The combination of “wild scenery and harsh climate” (Tacitus, Germania) had given the barbarians an inherent endurance towards cold and hunger over time. To cope with their surroundings, the warriors had developed powerful physiques, yet their abundant resources of strength and stamina proved not to be a source of pleasure for them, for the warriors had “no fondness for feats of endurance or for hard work” (Tacitus, Germania). In earthly matters, Germany’s apparent lack of precious metals made the warriors quite utilitarian in regards to physical possession. They preferred silver to gold, as silver could be more easily fashioned into useful objects. Only the tribes of warriors on the borders of the Roman empire recognized gold and silver as trading commodities, while the ‘backwoods’ tribes traded through the simple practice of barter, yielding one item in exchange for another (Tacitus, Germania).
The Germanic tribes were by no means idle people. Not content with the quietness characteristic of daily lives built on routine, “for rest is unwelcome to the race” (Tacitus, Germania), the tribes warred with their neighbors. In most cases, the tribes did not engage in voluntarily combat to gain or defend land or to right some alleged wrong against them; they mostly fought for two reasons. They first believed that it was easier to distinguish one’s self in the uncertainty of war, rather than in the predictability of routine. So war became a way for the barbarians to prove their honor, or sometimes expose their shame, as the abandonment of the shield during combat was “the height of disgrace” (Tacitus, Germania).
Clashing swords, miraculous survivals, pain of loss, and heroic sacrifice are all terrifying yet thrilling moments in a battle. The strong possibility of death and the frailty of human life add into the suspense of battle. Yet the reasons behind the wars, death, and suspense can be overlooked. The stories behind the warriors who have died will not be told again, but the stories of warriors still alive are what give the men strength to continue fighting against impossible odds. Ultimately, the reason of why a man would risk his life in battle is for someone, or something, he loves.
One of the most fundamental of these practices was that they never left their dead behind and instead ensured that even when they retreated, they took the bodies of their dead comrades with them. In addition, the German tribes tended to be led by individuals who had been selected by their communities for their valor and leadership skills. As a result, it was essential that all those who followed the leader, especially in the battlefield, ensure that they continued fighting while he fought and protect him. This was primarily because it was believed if the leader fell in battle, it was dishonorable for the followers as it showed that they had not fought as hard and that they had failed him. In matters concerning battle, it was essential nobody attempted to flee and leave his comrades behind and it was instead expected that they continue fighting side by side until the end.
The first chapter of Strauss’ work, titled “The Gladiator”, explores both Spartacus’ background as a gladiator and Rome’s fascination with the sport. Strauss outlines how a gladiator match worked in Rome, usually in carefully chosen pairs starting with a practice match with wooden weapons followed by the real officiated match that was generally to the death unless the crowd decided that the wounded deserved to live. The attention is then turned to where the Spartacus legend begins, Capua. Strauss gives a sweeping view of Capua’s history in the Roman Empire, from being punished for allying itself with Hannibal to returning to some prominence as a slave center, in particular for gladiators. Gladiators were usually slaves, and much like Spartacus, were foreign. Spartacus was a Thracian, feared by Romans for their fierceness on hors...
By avoiding capitalism, and dictatorship means of governance, everything should be led under a pragmatic leadership system. They try to tell us from the two articles that individual efforts brings pride and since the few have money, they use their cash to control the way the country’s resources should be run and managed. It is, therefore, worth to know how socialism is embraced by all, everything must be owned by the citizens. There will be no essence of stealing since all the citizens wealth belongs to
Socialism is an economic system in which government owns and runs industries and companies. It’s main goal was economic equality and a classless society and it was founded by Karl Marx. When socialism emerged it was embraced by intellectuals at first, then the masses, and finally the governments. Although socialism was a controversial economic system in Europe from 1800-1989, people mainly reacted positively due to opposition to capitalism, agreement to socialist ideas, and trust that the new system will not fail.
Within Western culture, social and cultural changes have evolved how people perceive themselves and others, resulting in a large increase in mental syndromes, such as anorexia and depression. While the western society has suffered from [body stereotyping..?], Asian countries have seen a rise in youth socially withdrawing for extended periods of time. In Japan, such a term is called hikikomori. It is a quickly developing syndrome in which adolescents “lock themselves away in their rooms for months, years, or even sometimes decades at a time, with minimal social contact” (Rosenthal and Zimmerman 82). Even though these syndromes are a result of different cultural backgrounds, they hold similar properties; both have the capacity to be considered
With the invasions of the Germanic and non-Germanic tribes, mostly from the north into the western portion of the former Roman Empire, there was already dissolutions of the political, military, social, and economic structures. They did have a high regard for the Roman culture and had no intentions to destroy it. The Greco-Roman culture combined with Germanic culture and Christianity had...
Years ago, the Romans created one of the biggest and best organized empires the world has ever seen. Throughout their lands, they built towns and roads, and spread their way of life. One of the reasons why their empire was so successful was that, unlike other ancient states, the empire welcomed outsiders. Foreigners could become Roman citizens. At first this was a given as a reward for the loyalty or f...
This contributes to Pinker’s idea that the English language is failing. First, children lack the self-esteem to write a solid paper and from there, will not ask for the help they need. Lee Warren states in his paper, “The biggest factor affecting learning for lower class students is a lack of confidence based on real or perceived weaknesses in preparation” (Warren). Simply because a child is not from the highest class and they are intertwined with these high class students they feel they cannot learn as well and that shows in their work. This should not be a factor and this is where teachers need to step in with their set fundamental rules that all children should face when writing. Teachers need to apply the fundamental rules as well as ensure every child in each class feels equal and like they are capable of being a proper writer. Pinker tries to say “[that] once introduced, a prescriptive rule is very hard to eradicate, no matter how ridiculous” (Pinker 374). This is completely false. What needs to happen is teaching authorities needs to step in and fix the problems by starting with young children and following through until they are done school following with a repetition of this for all
A medieval period also known as the Middle Ages began due to the downfall of the Roman Empire. Germanic invaders attacked, and soon Roman provinces were replaced with Germanic kingdoms. With the war over the location of the borders, the Church that had survived the Roman Empire’s fall had provided order and security for the uprising kingdoms. Different from the Roman Empire, family ties and personal loyalty held Germanic society together. Germanic people lived in small communities that were ruled by spoked rules and traditions. A Germanic chief led a group of warriors who had pledged their loyalty to him. Those who did, lived in the lord’s hall and he gave them needed supplies. By the lord’s side, the warriors fought in war. If a warrior
In the video “Video Killed the Radio Star”, it described that television has separated families form tight knitted circle groups to spread out individuals. Families use to eat at a table and talk about their day, but now they sit in front of the TV and do not communicate and only become stranger to one another. The presence of TV has limited family life by restricting interaction between family members, because nowadays a dad would rather watch TV than play catch with his son. Television is not the only form of media that influences family life, because now the internet is also a large contributor. The internet complicates our lives with countless emails and distractions form social media that it takes away from family focus. I know I am guilty of this because I would rather snapchat friends on my phone than talk to my dad, this is an example of the internet being a wedge in dividing family’s. Now Internet is how we connect with people instead of face to face interaction. An example of internets influence is when my parents are asking about my day and I am busy browsing social media networks instead of talking to them, examples such as this just shows the poor path society is heading via
The extremely anti-socialist rhetoric in the US makes it seem unlikely. In this essay I will discuss why socialism has failed to succeed in the US and why these are the same reason why socialism will not be brought in line with the American Dream. Also I will argue that the very nature of the American Dream, in the context of US society prevents socialism from being brought in line with socialism. Additionally there is an underlying attitude in US society called the bourgeois condition, the working class sympathise with the bourgeois class which means they act against their own class interests which prevents socialism being brought in line with the American Dream. Finally I will review the effect Bernie Sanders has had on bringing socialist ideas to the forefront of US politics and whether there is the possibility for socialism to become successful in the US and for it to be brought in line with the American
Marx hoped to enlighten or raise the consciousness of the proletariat, by paving the way for a revolution that would be able to free it from the system that oppressed it. He thought only then, could the workers begin to bring about a classless communist society operated according to the principle “From each according to his ability, to each according to his need.” (188) For more than a century from Marx’s death in 1883 until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, communism was the dominant form of socialism. However it was never the only form, and whether these other forms of socialism will flourish like communism did remains to be unknown. However what we do know is that if socialism does have a future, it won’t be in the form of communism (218).
This book contains a basic yet earnest truth. This world requires Marx now like never before. This thin volume ought to help to arm another era of socialists with the thoughts important to win the fights ahead. At exactly that point will we all be able to appreciate an all-around progressive
One’s culture and society has a large influence upon development and growth. Cultural and social expectations can sometimes cause an overwhelming amount of stress to an individual and result in mental disorders. An example of such would be the prevalence in anorexia and other eating disorders in Western society due to a warped sense of body image. Likewise, Asian countries have seen a rise in youth who are socially withdrawing for extended periods of time. In Japan, such a term is called “hikikomori.” It is a quickly developing syndrome in which adolescents “lock themselves away in their rooms for months, years, or even sometimes decades at a time, with minimal social contact” (Rosenthal and Zimmerman 82). Though these two conditions are more commonly conceived in their