One would think that societies that have millions of people, the majority of those who are in the lower class, would have more exposure and records written down about them than any other class for us to analyze. Unfortunately that is not the case. People who had wealth and power normally had the privilege to have records done for them for future societies and people to study and read. Luckily the graffiti in Roman society tells a lot about the political life that the everyday Roman lived by. Most of the graffiti that mentions anything politically related tend to seem as though they are sending a message that the particular politician they are talking about is either for or against the people. For instance some mention “All the goldsmiths support Gaius Cuspious Pansa for public works commissioner”(SNT p. 190). From this, one can probably assume that whoever decided to write this message was trying to conspire that there was some sort of connection between Gaius and goldsmiths that was either corrupt or simply he was a goldsmith and wanted to let others to support Gaius. But most likely it’s sending a message that the wealthy are supporting Gaius. Others that are much the same state “The mule-drivers support Gaius Julius Polybius for the mayor. Genialis supports Bruttius Balbus for mayor. He’ll balance the budget”(SNT p. 190). The inscription makes it seem as if Polybius is not the best choice to become mayor. It points out that possibly mayors before them spent money profusely without the concern of the lower class that consisted of commoners. The graffiti is much clear in favoring one person running for mayor, Balbus, and makes it clear that he is the obvious choice that will get the job done. Other markings take a d... ... middle of paper ... ...NT p. 190). The one thing that comes to mind when reading the statement is that the inscriptions might have been a tad farfetched. Although the tasks that he might have performed are plausible, they still seem unbelievable; only evidence would prove otherwise. In these modern days things like once ego can quickly become someone we are not. Especially in today’s society where social interaction through online is the norm, the similarities are evident. Despite the gap of many centuries, people’s opinions from back then are fairly similar to the ones that we have now. Perspectives range from cruel and intentional, or sweet and egotistical, the interesting thing is that people in modern times share similar viewpoints as those from the past. Works Cited Lockard, Craig A. Societies, Networks, and Transitions. 2nd ed. Vol. 1. Boston: Wadsworth, 2011. 190. Print.
“A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.” –Marcus Garvey. The U.S. is a combination of many cultures and influences over the centuries and because of this we are alike to many of them. We could name many of these influences: the Greeks, the Chinese Dynasties but the Romans were particularly like us. We might see them as barbaric is some ways but the reality is that the U.S. takes pages from many areas of the Romans, and comparisons could be drawn between both of us. Examples include government, our religions, and in some ways entertainment. The U.S. is much like the old Roman Empire was more than a millennium ago
From about 50 BCE to the year 200 CE, the Roman Empire was a powerful nation. Rome was the city that became the center of the Roman Empire and by 200 BCE Rome became a powerhouse. The Romans conquered Scotland to Spain, controlled the Mediterranean Sea, and established colonies in North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia Minor. By the year 44 BCE Julius Caesar became a Roman Emperor and Rome had a great military. Then around the 5th century CE the Roman Empire began to weaken. The primary reasons for the fall of Rome was because of the Roman Emperors, the Roman Army, and foreign invasion.
In contrast to the publicity spin of today’s tabloids, ‘losers attract notoriety,’ (Fear, 2008, p, 6) Roman society was no different with one’s reputation of paramount importance and continually defended. Antony and Cleopatra’s union was ammunition for Octavian and propaganda used against the couple in their pursuing battle of Actium. (Fear, 2008, p.7.)
Livy’s preservation of Rome’s history is one of the best‒and one of the few‒Roman historical documents to survive from the last century BCE to today. He writes to preserve the history of what once was a great nation. Livy believed that Rome was undergoing a conscientious devolution, so
Graffiti art was used by gangs as a way to mark their territories. They were also used to warn away any police and of course any other gangs to enter that area. Lastly these gang graffiti signs were used to either memorial a fallen gang member or to show that they are in the business of selling drugs. “Deanna Rodriguez, head of the Brooklyn district attorney's gang unit said ‘gangs have long utilized graffiti as a coded means of communication, but to the untrained eye, it looks like mere vandalism.’” (Belenkaya, Veronika. "Gangs Use Graffiti as a Warning." NY Daily News. Daily News, 12 Feb. 2008. Web. 02 May 2014.) What she is trying to say is that to some people, graffiti is just vandalism on a wall, no harm done but if you knew how to read the graffiti it would be different. A...
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.
The primary function of monumental portraits in Ancient Rome was to honor political figures of power through repeating social and political themes. The Romans expressed these themes through a form of “realism”. Relics of this era were found depicting the elderly conservative nobility that lived through civil disruptions and war, elaborately individualized through detail of the face expression. Through the features of grimacing heaviness, wrinkles, and effects of old age, the Romans were able to express the reality of their political situation felt by the people whose faces were sculptured into stone. Furthermore, Nodelman discusses the use of sculpture portraits to depict the ideology behind Roman conservative aristocracy. Artists would portray the virtues of gravitas, dignities, and fides, through the use to physical expression and symbolic meaning, rather than through words. A statue of Augustus, for instance, displays the militaristic, powerful, godly perception of the conservative ideology through the use of symbolic detail. The decorative, rich, military outfit on Augustus, represents the power of the military and Augustus’s role as imperator in it. The freely held masculine arm and pointing gesture towards the horizon are Rome’s expanding dreams, clashing with the overall powerful and sturdy stance of the body. The bare feet bring about the impression
Every empire, dynasty, government, regime etc. has consisted of both good and bad leadership. This directly affects the society in which they oversee and/or control. The infamous Roman Empire experienced its share of triumphs and depression through its leader’s actions. Run as a monarchy, the kings of Rome had various ways of implementing their authority. Many of them chose to rule based on their interests and desires while others catered to the welfare of Rome’s booming population. Depending on the leader some received accolades and others faced a tragic ending due to their ignorance. Prior to the formation of the republic Rome the people endured both the spoils and hardships of war. The actions and/or qualities of the good and bad leaders of Rome had a direct correlation with its well being. Opinions vary but there were definitely standouts on both ends of the spectrum.
The Roman Republic is highly praised for the innovation, influence and expansion that it had on the rest of the world. In a period of expansion there was also a setting of constitutional precedent for the future late Republic and Roman Empire. The Roman Republic can also be viewed from the perspective of internal balances of power. That being said, although the Roman Republic as not a full democracy, as stated by Polybius, it did provide some political power to the people. Constitutionally, the Roman people played a large role in politics, but said power was limited through checks of the Senate and Consul, an most positions of power were very concentrated in the hands of Patricians and aristocrats, who can be seen as upper citizens in Rome.
Macionis, J. J. (2013). Society: the basics (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall.
The Roman Republic began in 509 B.C.E. with the overthrow of the Etruscan monarchy. In 27 B.C.E the Roman Empire began with Octavian Caesar becoming the emperor, this ended almost 500 years of republican self-government. There is much debate over why Rome became so powerful so quickly. Many think it had to do with Rome’s military strength. Others think that it was because Rome knew of and controlled most of the trade routes. Still others believed it had to do with the technology that was advanced during the Roman Republic. All of these factors played significant roles, but which one played the most important role?
Macionis, John J.. Society: the basics. 12th ed., Annotated instructor's ed. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall, 2013. Print.
With the decline and fall of the western empire, the classical age of Rome came to a close as disease, warfare and corruption conspired to bring about the downfall of an ailing empire that had once conquered the known world. Where once enlightened despots had ruled a debauched and unwieldy polity, now barbarians stood over the ruins of a once thriving metropolis. In its absence a new world would arise with new values and ideals. Turning their back on a pagan past the Christian children of these wild men from the north would spawn the greatest houses of future European nobility, and when they looked back for a legacy, they would not see their ancestors as pillagers picking at the bones of a defiled Rome, but instead as its trusted guardians, partnering with the Church to carry her legacy through the “Dark Ages”.
The society of the ancient Romans has often been considered the bases for our modern society. When one thinks of the Roman society, pictures of grand villa's and of senators wearing Toga's come to mind. Also, Roman society is often associated with great feasts and extravagance among the rich. There is more to Rome, however, then these symbols and the Classical Roman society is one with a complicated history that covers the history of the ancient city and involves the family, the home, education and much more. The social structure of ancient Rome was based on heredity, property, wealth, citizenship and freedom. It was also based around men: women were defined by the social status of their fathers or husbands. Women were expected to look after the houses and very few had any real independence.
...Henslin, James M. "Social Structure and Social Interaction." Essentials of Sociology: A down to Earth Approach. 10th Ed. 10th ed. Pearson, 2013. 112. Print.