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A
TRIBUTE:
Of Italy and Italian Roots and The Roman Man and
Woman.
While the prime demand
made of the Roman soldier was peerless performance on the battlefield, in
addition many were craftsmen (for example, stone masons and carpenters) whose
great skills contributed to the
efficiency of the Roman military machine - but also had a significant effect on
the countryside and people of the country in which they were stationed.
Personal Virtues
These are the qualities of life to which every Citizen (and, ideally, everyone
else) should aspire. They are the heart of the Via Romana — the Roman Way
— and are thought to be those qualities which gave the Roman Republic the moral
strength to conquer and civilize the world. Today, they are the rods
against which we can measure our own behavior and character, and we can strive
to better understand and practice them in our everyday lives.
Auctoritas
"Spiritual Authority" The sense of one's social standing, built up through
experience, Pietas, and Industria.
Comitas
"Humour" Ease of manner, courtesy, openness, and friendliness.
Clementia
"Mercy" Mildness and gentleness.
Dignitas
"Dignity" A sense of self-worth, personal pride.
Firmitas
"Tenacity" Strength of mind, the ability to stick to one's purpose.
 Frugalitas
"Frugalness" Economy and simplicity of style, without being miserly.
Gravitas
"Gravity" A sense of the importance of the matter at hand, responsibility and
earnestness.
Honestas
"Respectibility" The image that one presents as a respectable member of society.
Humanitas
"Humanity" Refinement, civilization, learning, and being cultured.
Industria
"Industriousness" Hard work.
Pietas
"Dutifulness" More than religious piety; a respect for the natural order
socially, politically, and religiously. Includes the ideas of patriotism and
devotion to others.
Prudentia
"Prudence" Foresight, wisdom, and personal discretion.
Salubritas
"Wholesomeness" Health and cleanliness.
Severitas
"Sternness" Gravity, self-control.
Veritas
"Truthfulness" Honesty in dealing with others.
Public Virtues
In addition to the private virtues which were aspired to by individuals, Roman
culture also strived to uphold virtues which were shared by all of society in
common. Note that some of the virtues to which individuals were expected to
aspire are also public virtues to be sought by society as a whole. These virtues
were often expressed by minting them on coinage; in this way, their message
would be shared by all the classical world. In many cases, these virtues were
personified as deities.
For more, see Aquila - The Public Roman Virtues.
Abundantia
"Abundance, Plenty" The ideal of there being enough food and prosperity for all
segments of society.
Aequitas
"Equity" Fair dealing both within government and among the people.
Bonus Eventus
"Good fortune" Rememberance of important positive events.
Clementia
"Clemency" Mercy, shown to other nations.
Concordia
"Concord" Harmony among the Roman people, and also between Rome and other
nations.
Felicitas
"Happiness, prosperity" A celebration of the best aspects of Roman society.
Fides
"Confidence" Good faith in all commercial and governmental dealings.
Fortuna
"Fortune" An acknowledgement of positive events.
Genius
"Spirit of Rome" Acknowledgement of the combined spirit of Rome, and its people.
Hilaritas
"Mirth, rejoicing" An expression of happy times.
Iustitia
"Justice" As expressed by sensible laws and governance.
Laetitia
"Joy, Gladness" The celebration of thanksgiving, often of the resolution of
crisis.
Liberalitas
"Liberality" Generous giving.
Libertas
"Freedom" AVirtue which has been subsequently aspired to by all cultures.
Nobilitas
"Noblility" Noble action within the public sphere.
Ops
"Wealth" Acknowledgement of the prosperity of the Roman world.
Patientia
"Endurance, Patience" The ability to weather storms and crisis.
Pax
"Peace" A celebration of peace among society and between nations.
Pietas
"Piety, Dutifulness" People paying honor to the gods.
Providentia
"Providence, Fortethought" The ability of Roman society to survive trials and
manifest a greater destiny.
Pudicita
"Modesty, Chastity." A public expression which belies the accusation of "moral
corruptness" in ancient Rome.
Salus
"Safety" Concern for public health and wellfare.
Securitas
"Confidence, Security" Brought by peace and efficient governance.
Spes
"Hope" Especially during times of difficulty.
Uberitas
"Fertility" Particularly concerning agriculture.
Virtus
"Courage" Especially of leaders within society and government.
The page provided below is a link to Ms Paula Nigro's
wonderful pages. A wealth of experiences await you and we are happy to
send you her way. We truly thank her for her extensive research conducted
on all things Italian.
Please visit by
clicking
here.
Growing up the Italian-American way means growing up with
many things "Ceaser" and "Romanesque." How many of us
remember our grandmother's house with the chandeliers, mirrors and lamps,
"from the old country?"
Of course, no holiday, be it Christmas or Thanksgiving,
was ever complete without cheese ravioli in gravy (that's red sauce in
Italian-American)! | 
