Western Heritage Exam 1 Raney

Nero

Suetonius

Meditations

Marcus Aurelius

The Institutes

Justinian I

Interconnecting themes between works (nature of politics, government, human kind)

Politics:

Government:

Human Kind:

Divinity/religion: God’s ultimate power is displayed in Genesis, I and II Samuel, and Exodus.

If a man charge a man with sourcery, and cant prove it, he who is charged shall throw himself in the river and if the river acome him, the accuser shall take his estate. If the river show a man to be innocent he who charged him shall be killed.”

Hammurabi:

Addresses the inherent nature of humans, they address natural human behaviors. This one addresses false accusation and allows the Gods to carry out due process of law. Shows how some of the law is left to the interpretation of the Gods, allows the gods to decide who is just and unject when the law cannot.

“If a man owe a debt and Adad inundate his field and carry away the produce, or through lack of water grain have not grown, in that year he shall not make any return of grain to the creditor, he shall alter his contract-tablet and he shall not pay the interest for that year

Hammurabi

Addresses the inherent nature of humans, they address natural human behaviors. This one addresses people’s obedience to the will of the Gods. Shows understanding of the God’s actions, even when it harms the society/functions of human life. One of the more just and graxe-extending aspects of the code. Gives grace to the farmer so that he does not become poor in the dry season, because this could strip him of funds so that he could not buy seeds and spend money on tools needed to supply food to the community.

If the outlaws collect in the house of a wine seller and she does not arrest them, the wine seller will be put to death.

Hammurabi: (laws that adress the natural behaviors of people)

Addresses the inherent nature of humans, they address natural human behaviors. This one addresses public nuisance. Outlaws are a dangerous group of people, and could cause harm to the community, especially if they are intoxicated.

Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have Eaton of the tree which I commanded "‘you shall not eat of it’, cursed is the ground because of you, in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life, thorns and thistles it shall bring forth to you, and you shall eat the plants of the field.

Genesis

This shows that God is all-powerful and expects obedience from his people. If they obey, he will bless them. If they disobey, he will punish them. God commanded of Adam and Eve to not eat fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, but they did it anyway. As a result, God takes paradise away from them, makes them ashamed of their appearance, makes childbirth painful, and other punishments.

God said to him, behold my convenant is with you, you shall be the father of a multitude of nations.

As for you, you shall keep my covenant you are your descendants after you. This is my covenant, every male among you shall be circumcised.

Gensis (God’s creation)

God establishes a convenant in Abraham and shows that he is a promise-keeping God. He speaks directly to Abraham and commands obedience in return for blessing and fruitfulness. A covenant is a sacred bond/agreement. Circumcision is a physical sign of God/Abraham’s covenant, which leads to discrimination.

Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt? He said, “but I will be with you, you will serve God on this mountain.”

Exodus

This shows Moses’s doubt and questioning of God’s decisions.

If you obey the voice of the Lord, being careful to do all his commandments, the Lord will set you high above the nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you if you obey.

But if you will not obey the voice of the Lord and be careful to do all his commandments, these courses shall come upon you and overtake you.

Exodus (God’s sovereign power and expectations of obedience)

This adresses’s God’s expectation of obedience among his people, as well as human nature to make/follow a system of laws. God expects obedience from his people, and in return blesses them, easing pain, providing success and guidance. However, when they disobey, he curses them with many difficulties.

He said, these will be the ways of kings who will reign over you, he will take…and you will be his slaves. And you will cry out, and the Lord will not answer you in this day

But you have this day rejected your God, and you have said ‘No! but set a king over us’

I Samuel

The king will become oppressive and restore the type of rule that people sought to get rid of, as the judges that governed them were also corrupt. In wanting a new King, they have rejected God as their ultimate ruler. In doing so God will reject them when they realize their mistake.

Has the Lord a great delight in burnt offerings as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to harken than the fat of the Rams. For rebellion is the sin of divination.

I Samuel (pros and cons of monarchy, God’s sovereign power)

Saul disobeys God. He spares his counterpart but tries to “play it off” and escape God’s punishment by making excuses and claiming that he honored God in this action, and therefore he did nothing wrong.

How is it possible that monarchy should be a good thing if it allows a man to do what he likes without being answerable? Such license is enough to stir strange and unwonted thoughts in the heart of the worthiest of men.

The History-Herodotus

One man is in the highest position of power, so there is no other person of power to guide his actions and tell him what he can and cannot do. No matter the virtue or wisdom of a man, having total power will corrupt his mind and his decision making, causing him to act in his own interest and do whatever he pleases because there are no reprocussions. Therefore, the rule will not be for the good of the people, but for his own good.

The tyrant at least knows what he is about, but a mob is devoid of knowledge, for how should there be in a rabble, untaught, and with no natural sense of what is right and fit?

The History-Heroduts (pros and cons of monarchy, how each has corruption potential, represents conflict in society and opinions)

The common man is not always well-educated on politics and virtue, and therefore some are immoral. If they do not know how to govern themselves, they should not be able to govern an entire society.

The men have shown themselves valient in action, and it would be enough for their glories to be proclaimed in action. The courage and manliness of these men should no be hazarded by the goodness or badness of one man’s speech.

Pericles’ Funeral Oration-Thucydides (sacrifice and obligation to one’s country)

A soldier’s honor is not determined by another man, but by his actions in battle. Therefore, there honor should not be tainted by what man says or doesn’t say about them.

The generations up until now, by their courage and virtues, have handed to us a free country. They deserve praise. Even more so our fathers, who added all the empire we have now with blood and toil. And we ourselves have added to the power of the empire and have organized our state in that it is able to look after itself in peace and war.

Pericles’ Funeral Oration-Thucydides

Past generation have upheld the success of Athens and preserved its government, making it possible for the present generation to live in a successful society. Some have sacrificed their lives. The past, present, and future generations have an ongoing contract to uphold the prosperity of Athens. The present generation is responsible for continuing the success of the state and some have sacrificed their lives for the present and future generations.

(live in an Athenian democracy)

Our city is open to the world, and we have no periodical deportations in order to prevent people from observing and finding our secrets which might be of military advantage to the enemy. This is because we rely on our own courage and loyalty.

There are advantages to meeting danger voluntarily instead of with laborous training, with natural rather than state induced courage.

Pericles’ Funeral Oration-Thucydides

The key to Athens’ success is their natural courage in battle and voluntary participation. They are not required to become soldiers, but instead do it for the love of their country and the security of their loved ones. In other countries, soldiers fight because they are obligated to, and therefore are not as passionate and courageous. Sacrifice is key to Athens’ success, and these soldiers are willing to sacrifice themselves for the good of their state and by moral obligation.

here individuals are interested in their own and state affairs, even those mostly keeping to themselves are extrmely informed on politics, we do not say that a man who takes no interest in politics is a man who minds his own business, we say that he has no business here at all.

Pericles’ Funeral Oration-Thucydides

Men must take interest in politics in order to be present in society. Atheniens’ dedication to politics is what also makes their state sucessful. The lack of interest in politics is a major disrespect to the state, and it is neglecting your duty as a citizen. Therefore, anyone who does not care for politics is not welcome as a citizen.

What was Socrates accused of and hated for?

Crito-Plato (bond and integrity between a citizen and state)

He is accused for corrupting the youth, therefore threatening the future state of Athens and undermining religion.

Real wisdom is property of God, and this oracle is his way of telling us that human wisdom has little or no value. In respect of wisdom men are worthless.

Crito-Plato

God is all powerful and all knowing, even the smartest man does not come close to knowing what God does. Humans are also flawed, so their wisdom is as well. Therefore, men are foolish if they think they are “wise” as compared to God.

One should regard not all opinions, but only that of some and not others. What we ought to consider is not so much what people in general will say about us but how we stand with the expert in right and wrong, the one authority, who represents the actual truth.

Crito-Plato

People should not act as to please the expectations of others, but instead should act on account of morality and to please God, who is the ultimate authority and judge of character.

Crito is afraid of what people will think if he does not help Socrates escape jail, they may think that he is a poor friend.

You are breaking covenants and undertakings made with us, that made with understanding, and you had seventy years in which you could have left the country if you were not satisfied or felt the agreements were unfair. Is it not obvious that you are above other Athenians in your respect for this city and its Laws?

Crito-Plato

Socrates claims he made the choice to be an Athenian citizen, instead of living elsewhere. In being a lifelong citizen, he has made a vow to the state and is obligated to follow the law. Now, he must uphold the law even when it will do harm to him, because he has an obligation to the law. To break the law would be an ultimate disrespect to Athens and show that it is an inadequate state.

RELATE

A covenant is also made in Genesis, there is also a covenant between Abraham and God. Each is an important, long lasting agreement. These agreements are not unbreakable, but they are sacred and upheld by Abraham and Socrates’s actions. These covenants are both not only upheld for the sake of the individual, but for the sake of a nation and out of obedience to an authority.

There are appetites which we cannot rid, that do good to fulfill. Our nature cannot help but seeking to satisfy both these kinds, so they can be described as necessary. Unecessary appetites can be rid by early training and do us no good and in some cases harm.

The republic-plato (there are natural appetites that all people have, some of these are good to fullfil and others are not) (importance of understanding and seeing truth)

Effects of way to handle these appetites?

Necessary appetites are those that do humans good to fullfil, mostly things that are essential to survival. Unnecessary appetites are things that humans want but do not need, and striving for these things can do harm. Knowledge and self-government help to curb these appetities. With knowledge and the ability to self-govern, a man can know the potential harm and corruption that fulfilling unnecessary appetites can cause, and the ability to restrain the want for these things. This exess caused by unnecessary appetites not only causes harm to individual, but on the society as well.

So he spends his days indulging in the pleasure of the moment, intoxicated and then taking to a spare diet of only water, one day in hard training, the next doing nothing at all, the third apparently immersed in study. Every now and then he takes apart in politics, saying whatever comes to his head. He may set out to be a soldier or a man of business. His life is subject to no order or restraint, he has no wish to change, he calls himself pleasant, free, and happy.

The republic-plato

The democratic person/person who pursues UAs has a distorted mind and soul, for these appetites have corrupted him. He is undisciplined and inconsistent in his morality. His view of truth, morality, what is means to be a proper citizen, and the “good life” are all distorted by the pursuit of these things. This is what happens to men when they can do whatever they please, when they have liberty,

Explain the cave allegory and its meaning.

The republic-plato

Men spend their lives facing the back of the cave, believing that the shadows cast on the wall from real objects are the real objects themselves, and the noises echoed from outside are the real noises themselves. They are comftorable with their lives. One man leaves the cave and is blinded by the bright light from the sun. It takes him a long time to adjust to the light and see clearly what is outside. He comes back to the cave to share the good news and the truth of the ways things are. However, these men don’t believe him and have no desire to leave, and wish to kill him. The sun represent the truth, and the cave represents ignorance and restriction. Goodness and truth is difficult to understand, but reveals a sovereign and intelligible world. You need this to act with wisdom and have self-government. It is difficult and confusing to learn, so much so that some people continue to live without finding goodness and truth. However, ever man is cabaple of doing so and becoming able to contemplate reality and live a full filling life.

The final and perfect association, formed from a number of villages, is the polis, an association which may be said to have reached the height of full self-suficiency, it grows for the sake of mere life, it exists for the sake of good life

The polis exists by nature and is prior to the individual. Not being self-sufficient when they are isolated, all individuals are so many parts equally depending on the whole. The man who is isolated,unable to share the benefits of political association, or has no need to share because he is already self sufficient, is no part of the polis, and must therefore be a beast or a god.

The politics-aristotle (nature of men and society, aspects of a proper society/polis)

The polis is a natural creation of man. Each part of the polis depends on one another, but together they can thrive. It is important for men to live with one another, so that they can create friendship, exchange service, and keep eachother’s morals accountable. Since the formation of a polis is a natural tendency of man, one who lives on his own is essentially unhuman.

Man is the best of animals, but is he is isolated from law and justice he will the worst of all. If man be without virtue, he is a most unholy and savage being, and worse than all others in lust and gluttony. Justice belongs to the polis, for justice is an ordering of the political association.

The politics-aristotle

Men are so easily corrupted. The polis creates interdependence a pursuit of goodness. Without a society to work towards improving or neighbors to hold him accountable, he loses his rationality and engages in corrupt acts. Justice ensures that the law is just. It sucessfully keeps the appetites in check and treats people fairly, and punishes only those who don’t follow it.

A constitution may be defined as the organization of a polis, in respect of all its offices generally, but especially in the respect of that particular office which is sovereign in all issues. The civic body is everywhere the sovereign of the state, in fact the civic body is the polity itself.

The politics-aristotle

A constitution gives the polis order. It hasultimate power over civilians and explain the way the polis is structured, form the highest to lowest man. It outlines the laws that are above the sovereign people, which they live by. When a constitution governs the state with a view to common interest, it is a Polity. Because the polity adresses the common interest, it is best able to govern the entire civic body. It is made by people, for the people.

Those constitutions which consider only the personal interest of the rulers are wrong or perversions of the right forms.

Rightly constituted laws should be the final sovereign, and personal rule should be sovereign only in those matters on which law is unable, owing to the difficulty of framing general rules.

The politics-aristotle

Laws should be more powerful than any person, even the most powerful man of the polis. However, laws are not perfect, as they apply to people in a general sense and not specifically, and sometimes need to be interpreted. It is only in this instance when rulers should express judgement.

This activity "(hapiness) is the best (since not only is reason the best thing in us, but the objects of reason are the best of knowable objects), and secondly, its is the most continuous, since we can contemplate truth more continuously than we can do anything.

Nichomachean Ethics (happiness is the highest virtue)

Aristotle

Happiness comes from the pursuit of virtuous conduct, and is the highest possible end. Everything we do ultimately is for hapiness. Happiness is on accordance with reason, and reason allows us to distinguish what is true and good.

The best kind of people to rule are that of the middle class, as they are used to living in moderation, and therefore have less thirst for luxuries and self-indulgence than the rich or poor.

We must also reflect that of desires some are natural, others are groundless, and that of the natural some are necessary as well as natural, and some are natural only.

Letter to Menoeceus-epicurus (natural desires of humans, importance of wisdom)

RELATE to appetites

Plato outlines in the republic that these desires like these when talking about the necessary and unnecessary appetites. Each work outlines two kinds of desire/impulse, one of which is important to fulfill and necessary for survival. The other one is not important to human survival and excessive indulgence in these appetites has the potential to corrupt.

Plain fare gives as much pleasure as a costly diet, when once the pain of want has been removed, while bread and water confer the highest possible pleasure when they are brought to hungry lips.

Letter to Menoeceus-epicurus

Engaging in excess will always lead to greed and increased desire for unnecessary appetities. Once one learns to restrain himself in his desires, he will have the ability to maximize intellectual pleasure and minimize pain. Sober reasoning is the key to intellectual pleasure

Therefore wisdom is a more precious thing even than philosophy, from it spring all the other virtues, for it teaches that we cannot live pleasantly (that is, a life without pain) without living wisely, honorably, and justly.

Letter to menoeceus-epicurus

Wisdom is the greatest good and the foundation of morality and intellectual pleasure. With wisdom, you have the understanding and ability to distinguish between what will cause you pain and what will cause you pleasure. It is the most important tool in self-government.

It is within yourself that you carry him, and you do not observe that you profane him by impure thoughts and unclean actions.

The Discourses-epicurus (stoicism, logos)

God made people in his image and gave them the ability to reason and the ability to glorify him and obey his commandments. This reason also gives humans the ability to distinguish what is immoral and moral, and God expects his people to conduct themselves with virtue. When you act of even think immorally, this is disrespectful to God and his blessings.

Opposition, and besides that is is unreasonable, and produces nothing but vain struggle, throws us into pain and sorrows.

The Discourses-epicurus

Reflects the ida of stoicism. People should give into natural order of things, instead of having big ups and downs, confirm to nature, have a steady state of mind, and dont complain about bad things or try to make things better. Trying to break the natural order will only cause more pain and waste time, because humans cannot break the processes of nature and natural order of society. People are confined by the laws of nature.

As for the Roman constitution, it had three elements, each processing sovereign powers. Their respective share of power is regulated with a scrupulous regard to equality and equilibrium, that no one could say for certain, whether the constitution as a whole were an aristocracy or democracy or depotism

The Histories-Polybius (complex government, fear of God, love of country, elements of Rome’s sucess)

The Roman government has different elements that have different areas of sovereignty, which allows for a more well rounded, fair governing of civilians as well as preventing the tyranny of the ruler, as each area of government displays checks and balances.

For when any one of the three classes becomes puffed up, and manifests an inclination to be contentious and unduly encroaching, its is checked and thwarted by the others. So the power of equilibrium is maintained by the impulsiveness of one part being checked by the other.

The Histories-Polybius

Specific powers are distributed among the divisions of Roman government. When one division oversteps on its realm of sovereignty, the others divisions are able to force that division into its proper realm.

The reason of this is that they employ foreign mercenaries, the Romans native and citizen levies

The Histories-Polybius

Relate to funeral address?

The Romans are not required to become soldiers. Rather, they voluntarily fight for their country. This state-induced courage that was also a part of Athens gives soldiers a higher cause for their service. They either achieve victory or die trying, because they are fighting for not only themselves, but for moral obligation, their loved ones and the prosperity of their country.

In Pericles’s funeral address, Athenian soldiers also fought voluntarily. They went into battle with self-induced courage instead of state-induced courage on monetary incentive and fought out of loyalty for their country. This cause of fighting for something bigger than themselves gave them determination that outweighed their enemies.

The most important difference for the better in the Roman commonwealth, is the fear of the Gods. It keeps the commonwealth together, as a check up on the common people. If it were possible for them to form a state of whole philosophers, such a custom would be unecessary. But seeing that every mulititude is fickle and full of lawless desires, the only resource to check them is by mysterious terrors and scenic effects of this sort.

The Histories-Polybius

It is a common theme that Gods expect obedience from their people. Gods were seen as to hold the ultimate power, and for this reason were cabable of destowing wrath and great curses. Out of fear that they would be punished for breaking the law and acting immorally, people were encouraged to act in good of society. However, philosophers have the wisdom to distinguish between right and wrong, and therefore the ability to self-govern without fear of the gods. Religion creates order in society!

Had a good habit of working with his own hands, and living temperatley, and serving in war, practiced eloquence (fluid speaking/writing) and thought is was necessary for one who seeks an all but humble and inactive life. He would never refuse to be counsel for those who needed him.

Marcus Cato-plutarch (qualities of virtuous leader)

Cato exhibited important virtues and self governing abilities. He embraced stoicism, as his life was not dramatic and full of ups and downs, but he kept his emotions and actions in “equilibrium”, not too cause too much excitement or pain. He also was educated, and knowledge and wisdom are needed to distinguish between appetites and self-govern.

He reviewed his farm, his servants, and housekeeping, increasing labor and retrenching all superfluous expenses.

Marcus Cato-plutarch

Cato lived frugally, and was smart about his financial decisions.

It marks an over rigid temper for a man to take the work out of his servants as out of brute beasts, turning them off and selling them in their old age.

Marcus Cato-plutarch

Lived too frugally at times and treated his slaves unhumanly. He used them for what they were worthy and when they were not of use, he sold them instead of retiring them, treating them less than animals.

Cato stood as office censor, watched, corrected, and punished other people for their private and public actions. They had the power to take away a horse or expel out of the Senate anyone who lived intemperatley out of order.

Marcus Cato-plutarch

Was able to look into people’s private lives and investate the state of Rome beyond what it appeared to be from the outside. He had a lot of power, but still maintained his virtue. Even private acts were punishable, as the actions of one man reflect upon the whole state.

All good actions in life come from maintaining your responsibilities.

On Duties-Cicero (citizen duties, moral vs. immoral) (did not fully embrace stoicism)

The inquiry into duty is common to all philosophers. Being responsible is the ability to self govern and input reason into decisions. Good actions stem from self government and knowledge, for they exhibit the ability to distinguish between good and bad.

The community of life holds a society of humans together, has justice and generosity.

On Duties-Cicero

Function of each: justice binds the community, ensures that no harm is done by one man to another, unless it is in retribution. Injustices happen by standing ommosion or unjust acts

The stoics like to repeat that everything that comes into being in the world is for the benefit of man, that every man is born for mankind’s sake, and that people can be helpful to one another. The Stoics say we should follow nature’s lead in this and contribute to public benefit by the interchange of obligations, by giving and receiving. By both our skills, efforts, and capacities we should thus link men together into a human society.

On Duties-Cicero

Everything in the world is not for the benefit of the individual. However, men cannot function with reason and virtue on an individual level. Rather they best benefit from being within a society/polis. This shows how Cicero did not embrace stoicism.

RELATE to polis

As Aristotle explains, men naturally form structured society, he calls the polis, and through it, they can acheive self-sufficiency and the good life. When men live on their own, they are no better than animals. Cicero also supports that humans achieve their full potential and best lifestyle when they form an ordered society.

No relationship is more important than that of one man with his country.

On Duties-Cicero

Men must put their country above all else, including themselves and their families. Men have an inherent and moral obligation to their state and should exhibit their strengths in a way that benefits the state.

Campaigning for public office is degrading. We shall regard our enemies as those who bear arms against us, not those who wish to govern the state of our private conviction.

On Duties-Cicero

Campaigning shows a level of selfishness, as people are acting in their own self interest for power and wasting their energies. Rather than governing properly and focusing on the whole society, they focus on themselves and create enemies of men who should be their allies.

Decorum is concerned with all types of moral correctness. It is the achievement of harmony with nature that reveals a man’s moderation and self control.

On Duties-Cicero

Decorum is characterized by moral excellence and the lack of it is considered injustice and bad for the state. To show decorum is to have the ability to self govern, and act in accordance to virtue even when you are not answerable for your acts. “Do the right thing even when nobody is watching” Decorum also involves the ability to control your thoughts. Even though immoral thoughts are not actions, the innability to harness then causes them to consume you and they eventually do turn into actions.

Even if we hide our actions from mankind, we should never do anything greedy, unjust, lustful, or intemperate. (how does it relate to the ring fable?)

On Duties-Cicero

The invisibility ring is of no use to a moral man. it should not matter whether you are in public or private that you are doing the right thing, but instead should exhibit reason and morality all of the time.

They who had easily endured dangers, doubtful and difficult trials, to them ease and riches, desirable by the rest of mankind, became a burden and a calamity. Therefore the love of money, then that of power increased. The foundation of all evils

Conspiracy of Cataline-Sallust (fall of Rome, corruption in excess)

The victory and prosperity of Rome in a way was the very thing that caused its downfall. Its success gave its citizens a life of ease and wealth. The more access they had to it, the more they wanted. They began to strive for more money and power than they needed, and power corrupts even the best man. They began to give into unnecessary apetites and give into a life of luxury instead of self-government.

These soldiers, after they gained victory, left nothing to the conquered, for success tries the minds of wise men, much less could they, when their morals were corrupted, use their victory with moderation.

Conspiracy of Cataline-Sallust

Even the wisest man is tempted by success. The more Rome increased in its power the more men thirsted for power of their own, and took advantage of rome’s prosperity. They wanted more riches and began consumed with desire for luxury and unnecessary apetites.

After that riches began to be an honor and glory, and command and power followed them, virtue began to languish, poverty to be accounted matter of reproach. They ravaged and wasted everything, their own property they valued at a trifle, that of some other persons they coveted, and had the least care in good things.

Conspiracy of Cataline-Sallust

Soldiers are motiviated by glory, for it gives them a greater cause than themselves to fight and receive honor from their country. Glory gave into a desire for power, and men’s morals began to be corrupted. They got greedy and lazy in the period of peace and prosperity, for what motivated their virtue was gone. The began to seek a life of ease and riches instead, abandoning their higher morals.

I raised an army by means of which I restored to liberty the republic, which had been oppressed by the tyranny of a faction.

Res Gestae Divi Augusti-Augustus (August’s rule for the people, restoration of tradition)

Augustus rose to power through the army, increasing in rank.

I accepted the proffer of no office which was contrary to the customs of Rome.

Res Gestae Divi Augusti-Augustus

The Senate wanted to give him positions of high and in some cases total power, but he declined. He did not accept a single position outside of old Roman tradition. He did not want receive threats and danger from other power-hungry men, and also wanted to display morality to the Roman people.

By new legislation I have restored many customs of ancestors which had new begun to fall into disuse, and I have myself also committed to posterity many examples worthy of imitation.

Res Gestae Divi Augusti-Augustus

His “campaign” was to restore traditional Roman rule and revive the republic. His rejections of high-power positions made him look favorable to the people in comparison to the tyrant-like rulers of recent Rome. He was viewed as humble and trustworthy. He took ideas of government from when Rome was at its height and tried to implament them back into society.

Augustus won over the soldiers with gifts, the populace with deep corn, and all men with the sweets of repose, and so grew greated by degrees, which he concentrated in himself the functions of the Senate, the magistrates, and the laws.

The Annals-Tacitus (faults of Augustus and his hypnosis of citizens)

Augustus “buttered up” citizens by earning their respect and favor with material objects instead of actions that displayed reason and virtue. Augustus claims he is merely rewarding soldiers for their hard work but it was actually a bribe and he did it to ensure the army was in his favor. While he did this, he was able to gradually gain more power in the government without the opposition of citizens.

Thus the state had been revolutionized, and there was not a vestige left of the old sound morality

The Annals-Tacitus

While Augustus claims to restore this “old sound morality” he did the very opposite. He transformed the state and moved away from it.

To establish still further his character, he declared that he designed to govern according to the model of Augustus, and omitted no opportunity of showing his generosity, clemency, and complaisance.

Nero-Suetonius (shows what a good ruler isnt)

Nero took adavantage of the favor Augustus earned within the Roman people and claimed to model his rule after Augustus. When he was rising to rule, he also bribed people by lowering taxes to earn their favor.

Petulancy, lewdness, and cruelty he practiced at first in private, as if prompted to them only by the folly of youth, but the world was of opinion that they were the faults of his nature, and not of his age.

Nero-Suetonius

Nero was young when he came to power, so when he engaged in impure and shameful acts, some citizens disregarded it as immature behavior, believing he would become more virtuous as he aged. And as long as he engaged in pleasures such as this in private, ti would not effect the state. However, it was the exact opposite. He began to go out in public and drink, steal, take advantage of women. His position of power and indulgence in unecessary appetites gave him no restrain or regulate his desires.

And from him I received the ideo of a Polity in which there is the same law for all, a Polity administered with regard to equal rights and equal freedom of speech, and the idea of a kingly government which respects most of all the freedom of the governed, and practice philosophy and do good.

Meditations- Marcus Aurelius (living simply and discipline)

Advocated for living simply, a stoic idea, and pursuing higher orders of the mind. Also claims that people should seek their worth in God and devote time to knowledge in order to have the ability to self-govern and know God.

We are now to treat of the latter, which is composed of three elements, and consists of precepts belonging to natural law, to the law of nations, and to civil law.

The Institutes- Justinian I (types of law)

Law code should be coherent and administer JUSTICE accordingly. People are all subject to nature law and it is inherent. Living only under natural law yields freedom for all. The law of nations applies to all that are citizens, and connects societies. It states that people have similar beliefs on general matters of human nature and behave in similar ways. Law of nations is what creates slavery. Civil law is within a society and applies reason and rules to their own cultures and custums.