The Roman Nobility

Insight in this period is mainly from the upper classes of Roman society and the role is primarily based on the points and the first written sources. The most important value and moral traditions that arise in the state primary sources service is above all and the need for the honor and prestige of the family, trying to accumulate more ancestors and honor previous Ones, either through great achievements in battle or another department of the State.From what we see in Plutarch's Life of Cato, who in early life of Cato, who seems to have a habit of working hard with their own hands, living soberly, serving in the war and who also seemed to have a report such as health and strength. Plutarch seems to think he had great eloquence and practiced throughout the region and its inhabitants. Cato felt it was necessary to look forward instead of a simple humble and inactive life. The values ​​did not refuse to give advice to those who need it and was apparently a good lawyer and orator. At some point, the Samnites who have a very simple meal also found Caton and they offered him gifts of gold, but Cato refused and said: "He who is happy with the dinner, he did not need the gold. "He thought it was more honorable to conquer those who have the gold, and after owning gold itself. Livy also mentions this noble aspiration not to lose when he writes about funeral Marcus Lepidus and refusal to spend large sums of money and is decorated with purple, because I did not pass that was important, but the traditional processions.The prestigious Roman men were beautiful and had the physical strength, but it seemed that nature to give people a chance, especially if they were born in a noble family. Being an eloquent speaker and be well learned in the law was regarded with great esteem.The importance of ancestors and the fame and the glory of their achievements are not lost on the young Roman nobles. Apparently, the images of their ancestors and the values ​​they represent are the measure by which every young noble was measured. Thus, the most important values ​​of these men was to match or exceed the bravery, great deeds and glory attributed to their ancestors. The dominant factor is the pursuit of virtue, but virtue without Roman state service was rejected. For the noble Roman virtue is to achieve personal excellence and prestige for the performance of its outstanding achievements in the service of the Roman state and be recognized publicly. This, coupled with the willingness to support the maximum suffering for the good of everyone in the community, so much so that the Roman commanders were willing to have their lost in the battle for the good of the Roman state children. It instills in them the dream of the glory that awaits the brave and the hope of glory gained will lead to them, like their ancestors, made immortal and remembered for all eternity.This particular has also been made for the prestige and honor of his family, some families have even lie and distort the facts, bravery and glory had been achieved, and funerals lied and exaggerated about these concrete achievements. Obviously, this was a problem later regarding history as Livy records suggested. Cicero also mentions the problems to exaggerate and lie about funeral processions, States which have made it difficult to know the actual number of consulates, past victories and changes for the plebeians and patricians of the relationship in general is very damaged Roman history.Mentioned in the inscriptions shows that some of the men who died early had potential, and were on the way to achieving political success. Besides the loss there is evidence to show that the family is both celebrate what the individual has been mourning the loss of the glory and honor of the family and the individual would have received.The ancestry and family heritage was so important that even in the reception rooms of the noble houses showing portraits of the deceased's family, waxing each portrait has its own place and when someone dies every family member can be present. Registration had rooms filled with files of the noble family of what each has to serve the government in the judicial system. When the owners change the new occupants could not remove these monuments and the legacy will continue even after the homes had changed hands. It was an exciting and powerful encouragement, when the walls every day unwarlike owner accused of encroaching on the success of others.Among the Roman nobles higher ambitions in life was to be a warrior class, supreme orator and courageous commander. To reach the highest position in the republics of supremely wise government, to become the most prominent member of the Senate, to obtain a multitude of honorable ways, have many children specifically to reach the state supreme distinction. The state has benefited from a culture of competition for those rich enough to educate and prepare individuals for a complex and dangerous career in politics and the military.