Roman honor

Romans believed that their ancestors had handed down their values from ancient times. they therefore referred to their values as '''mos maiorum'"', "the way of the ancestors." The Romans treasured their ancient values because, for them, "old-fashioned"mean "good because tested by long experiance", while "new" suggested "dangerous because not tested b any experience". Roman morality made honor the reward for right conduct, which requierd uprightness, faithfulness, and respect for others. Uprightness defined how a person related to others.

Faithfulness (fides, from which the english word fidelity derives) had many forms, for women as well as for men. Basically, it ment to keep one's obligations, no matter the cost. Failing to meet an obligation offended the community and the gods. Faithful women remained virgins before marriage and avoided adultery afterward. Faithful men kept their word, paid their debts, never had [...] with another man's wife, and treated everyone justly- which did not mean treating everyone the same, but rather treating people appropriately according to whether they were equals, superiors, or inferiors.

Faithfulness was one aspect of respect, a very complex value. Respect's supreme form was devotion to the gods, to one's own dignity, and to one's family, especially elders. Honoring the gods required carefully planned worship, prayers, and sacrifices performed in a sate of strict purity. Respect for one's self meant maintaining self-control and displayin only limited emotion. So strict was this expectation that not even wives and husbands could kiss in public without seeming emotionally out of control. Respect also required never giving up, regardless of difficulties. Standing firm and overcoming all obstacles to do one's duty were thus fundamental Roman values.

Honor was the Romans' reward fr living by theses calues. Women earned honor-a good reputation- especially by bearing legitimate children and education them morally. Honor for upper-class men brought concrete rewards: election to government office and public recognition of their military braverry and other contributions to the common good. A man who had gained the status bestowed by honor commanded so much respect that others would obey him regardless of whether he exercised formal power over them. A man eanring this much prestige was said to possess "authority."

Finally, Romans believed that family background influenced a person's values. Being born in an elite family was therefore a two-edged sword. It automatically carried greater status, but at the same time it imposed a stricter demand to behave morally. Originally, wealth had nothing to do with Roman moral virtue. Over time, however, it became overwhelmingly important to the elite to spend money in the sidplays of conspicuous consumption, social entertainments, and gifts to the community. By the later centuries of the Roman republic, amitious men required vast fortunes to buy honor, and they became willing to abandon other values to acquire riches.

Hsia, R. Po-Chia, Lynn Hunt, Thomas R. Martin, Barbara H. Rosenwein, and Bonnie G. Smith. The Making of the West: Peoples and Cultures, A Concise History, Volume II: Since 1340. 2 ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2006. Print.