Ancient Rome and the American Way

Ancient Rome and modern America share more similarities than might be apparent at first glance: government, culture, self-perception, and the aspects of their societies that made them so appealing. There is an inherent uniqueness to their cultures that bestows a certain sense of pride upon its subjects—this pride and respect for one’s nation and their status in the world as a Roman or American, respectively.  Moreover, both of these civilizations can be defined by patriotism—a nationalism that could be so penetrative that it defined every individual’s life and their actions.

The three Roman absolutes are easily applicable to American values even with regards to the ongoing cultural and social shifts of modern America. While these absolutes were more of a necessity for successful Roman life, they are more akin to guidelines in America if only because the brutality of Roman punishments would not be condonable behavior. There is certainly a culture of exceptionalism in modern America that surely existed in ancient Rome as well. It is evident in the first absolute Via Romana, or the Roman way. The exclusivity is clearly in its description. The Roman way extends to their virtues, ethics, philosophies and applications to life and how they embody the spirit of the ideal Roman citizen. Both Rome and modern America could be considered cultural melting pots. There is certainly more social diversity in modern America as is appropriate for the time; however, this means that there is hardly as much freedom in regard to enforcing particular beliefs on particular subcultures. In comparison to Rome, it is absolutely much safer to express one’s self in modern America, even if that expression is one that deviates from the usual standards.

While both civilizations are open and relatively welcoming societies, the growing pains of American culture has resulted in the rejection of ways that are considered to be unpatriotic or unbefitting of a proper red-blooded American. Of course, there is some sort of universality to the Roman absolutes. As the lecture stated, people who deviated from these could be severely punished to the point of being beaten in the streets. Obviously, American society would like to avoid this kind of barbarism because of the incredible breadth of patriotism that exists in modern society. While there is no one unique form to it, it is essential to note that both of these cultures subscribed to a mentality of exceptionalism. It is based upon respect and patriotism under the pretense of pietas. Americans and Romans are unique by the virtue of being American and Roman, and if someone expects to fit in, they would do well to fit the mold presented by the Roman or American way. 

The other absolutes that were mentioned in the lecture, Religio Romana and Mos maiorum, both have a considerable place in any society but in the concept of a dominant religion or any tradition, America could easily borrow these absolutes. Despite lacking an engrossing pantheon of gods, there is a recurring theme of exclusivity in the more conservative half of American culture, and an expectation of others who may have their own beliefs to redirect this towards the Christian God. It is not nearly as inclusive as allowing conquered subjects to still worship their own gods while including the Roman pantheon. Although becoming less and less prevalent with the aforementioned cultural shift occurring in America, there was once an expected manner, or steps, that an individual was intended to follow.

As the absolutes essentially incorporate all of the Roman virtues, it is reasonable that they too would be evident in American culture. Both share the elements of a meritocracy to some degree. Pietas, dignitas, industria, gravitas, and severitas all have some modern counterpart in America, as all of these virtues’ translations are desirable traits for Americans. While at first these were expectations, they have again become guidelines in modern society in order to encourage individuals into a fulfilling life.

After all, Rome was an empire with significant players and a grasp that spread far and wide after conquering Alexander the Great’s empire. While America’s empire is currently less aggressive than Rome’s, both are immense powers in their respective eras with the propensity to create innovative structures of government, military, commerce, and culture. Absorbing other cultures served to strengthen Rome as is evident in in their military power to technology to commerce to ideas. The same could be said of any civilization to an extent, but America was, at a time, a cultural melting pot and a land of opportunity for every individual. America itself is considered to be a Greco-Roman world, adopting much of the culture and architecture of Rome. There are even obvious similarities in the government, particularly in their affinities for lawmaking and the rule of law.

From the culture to the beating nationalist heart of these cultures, both Rome and America share many similarities and many of which America owes its current success too, considering how they have expanded upon the ideas that were first laid down by ancient Rome. In a sense, Rome’s empire was like a prototype for America’s. From the ideals that were encouraged in both and the basic framework that has been expanded upon, America has, appropriately, borrowed many of the ideas of the ancient Roman Empire and articulated them into a more modern adaptation.