Roman Empire Research Paper

1) The Romans were a sternly military society, where war and agriculture were the principal vocations, which were continually forced to defend their own conquests against other invaders (Coffin, p. 120). Rome valued its deep-rooted agricultural institutions, its household gods and it uncompromising military principles. Roman morality emphasized the patriotism, duty, masculine self-control and respect for authority and tradition. Its chief virtues were bravery, honor self-discipline and loyalty to country and family. A Roman’s primary duty was to honor his ancestors by his conduct but the greatest honor attached to those who sacrificed themselves for Rome, citizens had to be ready to sacrifice not only their own lives but the lives of their family and friends (Coffin, p.
Unlike modern western civilization, politics and religion and were always closely incorporated in ancient times. Committees of priests were chosen at the state level to act as outlets of government to supervise to the worship of the city’s gods, preside over public rites and serve as guardians of sacred traditions(Coffin, p.123-124). However, most Romans maintained reverence to the long-established gods of their home and their city or town. Polytheism, by Roman standards, was not restrictive or select in its class, as long as traditional gods were given the admiration and worship due to them, contemporary gods then might be included and exalted. Imperial cult was not imposed on unwilling subjects by an all-powerful Roman state (Coffin, p.140). The development and acceptance of emperor worship indicated a profound and collective concept of the quintessential relations between leaders and the divine order of the world. In conclusion, The Romans believed that they possessed a divine preordained purpose or responsibility to cultivate the world by teaching it the arts of law and government. Their society dictated how law is created, written and