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Values of Roman Nobility

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Roman nobility valued state duty. Polybius highlights this by citing the men who execute their sons “because they valued the interest of their country.”[1] Livy further supports this by recounting how Lucius Junius Brutus “superintend(ed) the public execution”[2] of his conspiring sons.[3]
Virtue was also valued. Sallust confirms this when claims how even the most “eminent (of) men”[4] aspire for virtue.[5] Polybius concurs with Sallust when he manifests the “impressive scene”[6] arranged for the young man who practises virtue.[7]
Bravery too was valued. Such conclusions are based on the unremitting discussions of brave actions. Polybius and Plutarchaccount for this; the latter providing descriptions that are emblematic of Roman nobility’s war-lust.([8])([9])

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Plutarch, Lives of Illustrious Men, Volume 1, Trans. J. Dryden (Maryland, 2008)

Maximus. A.P.D., Controversial Personalities of the Roman Republic: Lucius Junius Brutus, founder of the Republic, 509 BC, (updated 2008), http://www.roman-empire.net/articles/article-032.html

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[1] Polybius 6.53-54
[2] Livy, Early history of Rome, II.5.
[3] Lucius Junius Brutus was the founder of the Roman Republic and is believed to have held the first consulship in 509BC after expelling the tyrannical Etruscan king Lucius Tarquinius Superbus from Rome. According to Livy, Brutus’ first deed as consul was inducing the people, desirous of their recently obtained freedom, to swear “an oath that they would suffer no one to be king in Rome.” (Livy 2.5).Subsequently a new government system of annually voted magistrates and representative assemblies was installed. Many people were however were unprepared for these changes and as such efforts were made to restore the Tarquinius. Brutus’ sons where said to have been involved in the conspiracy and as a result were condemned to death.
[4] Sallust, The Jugurthine War.5 (Loeb trans., modified)
[5] Sallust was very emotive when he informed the reader how the hearts of even the most “eminent (of) men” ( Sallust, The Jugurthine War.5) is “set mightily aflame for the pursuit of virtue” ( Sallust, The Jugurthine War.5) The profundity of his words emphasises the great extent at which virtue was valued by the Roman nobility.
[6] Polybius 6.53-54
[7] Subsequent to Polybius’s extensive detail of the funeral processions arranged for young men who practice virtue, the historian highlights the difficulty of imagining a more “impressive scene” (Polybius 6.53-54) for these celebrated men by questioning “what spectacle could be more glorious than this?” (Polybius 6.53-54). In doing so, Polybius suggests that men who demonstrated high merit in life receive a reward in the form of the most exdrodinary funeral procession, thus emphasizing the significance of virtue.
[8] Polybius is a source of primary evidence and provides a recount of the brave actions displayed in his time. “Many Romans have volunteered to engage in single combat…and not a few have chosen certain death” (Polybius 6.53-54).
[9] Plutarch (trans. John Dryden, 2008:498) Even though Plutarch writes with hindsight, he describes Marcellus as a man “glowing and burning with desire to return to the war” (Plutarch Lives of Illustrious Men p.498). The optimistic nature of Plutarch description of the military leader’s courageousness causes it to be imbued with a strong sense of admiration and praise.

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