Familia: Roman household

Paterfamilias: Head of the household

Statues or the burial mask of ancestors were displayed at the entrance of the house. Family history were taught to children, particularly sons.

Cato the Elder 234-149 B.C.

Cato'a Achievements:

1. Helped to pass a series of sumptuary laws
2. Passed a law aimed to keep "philosophers" out of Rome (Greeks)
3. Wrote a book for his son; Origines: the first history of Roman written in Latin
4. A book on agriculture, De agricultura

Carneades, Head of the Academy 214/3-129/8 B.C.

Plautus 254-184 B.C.; brought comedy of Menander (Greece), or others of that ilk to Rome; not drama but merely for entertainment

The Pot of Gold by Plautus

Terence ca. 190-159 B.C.; wrote restrained comedy with intricate plot written in elegant and polished Latin

The Eunuch (161 B.C.) by Terence

Catullus 84-54 B.C.; a poet

Marcus Tullius Cicero 106-43 B.C.

On the Republic 51 B.C. (De Republica)

On the Laws 52 B.C. (De Legibus)

On Duties 45-44 B.C. (De officiis)

incorporated the stoic concept of natural law with the traditional Roman ethics

formulated a moral principle that advantage can never conflict with right; or for everything that is morally right is advantageous (may profit you but cannot be advantageous)

Aeneas presented by Virgil

Four Roman Virtues:

1. Pietas: Loyalty, reliability, honor
2. Gravitas: Weightiness, seriousness
3. Constantia: Perseverance, commitment, dedication
4. Magnitudo animi: Magnanimity, greatness of spirit