Roman

The Roman concept of 'pax deorum' was to keep the people of the community, and the state in good graces with the Gods. This was the underlining force in Roman religion, and was illustrated by the speech of Camillus, were he stated; "All things went well when we obeyed the Gods, but badly when we disobeyed them"(AW, pg 184).

Both the state and the private families had rituals and moral values, which were vital to the basic character of Rome as a sacral community. To please the Gods, the individual Roman had to put the city of Rome above all personal ideals. "Romans were expected to, and largely did, seek fame and glory, dignity, honour, and wealth for the sake of the state and their families rather than for their own personal benefit"(AW,pg 184). This was the character of Rome, its people totally devoted, and willing to sacrifice for the benefit of others. The Gods were thought to be vengeful towards anyone who had defied them, and their wrath was widely feared. Certain duties and ritual sacrifices were to be performed periodically to please the Gods, and bring good fortune. "... What in other na

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Leaving it would mean leaving the Gods, and angering them. Camillus's logic was that the Gods wanted the people to be there, because Rome had grew to an empire, and had survived for three hundred and sixty-five years. You could not just simply move that to a different location and start over. Camillus, a dictator of the time, was outraged at the very thought of moving the city, and said that the only reason they lost the battle, was because the generals had not performed the proper rituals before it took place. The Glory of Rome was to be put before all else. The marble stones, which made up the physical city, could be moved, but not the character of Rome, that was forever in place. The site of Rome, was thought to be picked by the Gods and man jointly. When the Roman army was defeated, the city was sacked by a band of Celts, and it was thought to be easier to move to a new site and rebuild. "Not only are the days for our sacrifices fixed, but also the places where they are to be performed"(AW, pg 184). " The great fear for the fury of the Gods, served as a deterr!

ent to the people of Rome from any wrongful actions towards the state.

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. Here the gods will be propitious to you-if you stay"(AW, pg 186). Rome could never be moved, because Rome was more than just a city, it was blessed by the Gods. There !

was too much history, and a set code of conduct that had been passed on for generations. "Though your courage may go with you, the fortune of this place certainly cannot be transferred"(AW, pg 185).

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