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 nations is looked upon as a reproach, . . . the scrupulous fear of the gods, is the very thing that keeps the Roman commonwealth together." 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. The Glory of Rome was to be put before all else.
             The City of Rome was thought to be built on sacred ground, and could not be just moved. 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. 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. These same rituals also prevented the city from relocating. ...