Handout one - roman values and society

Question 1

What is Pliny NH 37.210 about - ‘This then I declare in the world’

Answer 1

Cultural exploration of what it means to be Roman

Question 2

When was Pliny writing?

Answer 2

70s AD

Question 3

PLINY NH 37.210 - second parent of the world

Answer 3

links to pater familias - started in the empire

Question 4

PLINY NH 37.210 - listing; men and women, her generals and soldiers, her slaves, her preeminence in skills, wealth of brilliant talent

Answer 4

asyndetic listing - building up; climax is the wealth of brilliant talent - acknowledging the superiority of roman-ness

Question 5

PLINY NH 37.210 - nature references? ____ thought?

Answer 5

Stoic thought was that the sun was the leader of the universe

Question 6

PLINY NH 37.210 - no land so well adorned with all that wins nature’s crown

Answer 6

Favour of the gods

Question 7

Describe the roman nationalist ideology?

Answer 7

Encompassing of mos maiorum and practical, virtuous, conservative

Question 8

Ingredients of roman society?

Answer 8

Virtus and fortuna

Question 9

What is pax deorum?

Answer 9

Peace of the gods

Question 10

What did pax deorum turn into?

Answer 10

Pax Romana

Question 11

What was prudentia?

Answer 11

Female personification of virtue

Question 12

Cursus honorum?

Answer 12

Course of offices

Question 13

What were the maiores? and their impact?

Answer 13

models by which to live; past full of deeds of bravery, chastity, patronism, piety

Question 14

What was dignitas?

Answer 14

Dignity, prestige, charisma