Identifying Romanness : virtus in Latin historiography during the late Republic and early Empire
This thesis deals with the role of the concept of virtus in Roman historiography of the late Republic and early Empire. I shall argue throughout the study that analysing and tracing this concept in the works of the historians of this period take us to the very heart of the question of their appraisal both of political change and Roman identity. Understanding this moral appraisal does not mean just a better comprehension of their concept of virtus, but a new approach to their concept of history as magistra vitae. In the first chapter, I shall introduce some characteristics of the nature of historical writing and the approaches of ancient and modern historians. I shall be challenging some currents views on the complexity of evaluating ancient history by rhetorical and moral standards. In chapter II, I shall consider the concept of virtus in terms of its etymology and usage; I will then attempt to show the particular connection between virtus and Romanness. I will also develop and explain the concepts of virilis-virtus and humana-virtus and place them in their philosophical context. Chapters III, IV, V and VI will form part of what I have called 'Virtus in History', and in these chapters I shall deal with four
Balmaceda, Catalina
Historiography ; Virtue in literature ; Virtus (The Latin word) ; In literature ; Rome
Identifying Romanness : virtus in Latin historiography during the late Republic and early Empire. This thesis deals with the role of the concept of virtus in Roman historiography of the late Republic and early Empire. I shall argue throughout the study that analysing and tracing this concept in the works of the historians of this period take us to the very heart of the question of their appraisal both of political change and Roman identity. Understanding this moral appraisal does not mean just a better comprehension of their concept of virtus, but a new approach to their concept of history as magistra vitae. In the first chapter, I shall introduce some characteristics of the nature of historical writing and the approaches of ancient and modern historians. I shall be challenging some currents views on the complexity of evaluating ancient history by rhetorical and moral standards. In chapter II, I shall consider the concept of virtus in terms of its etymology and usage; I will then attempt to show the particular connection between virtus and Romanness. I will also develop and explain the concepts of virilis-virtus and humana-virtus and place them in their philosophical context. Chapters III, IV, V and VI will form part of what I have called 'Virtus in History', and in these chapters I shall deal with four
identifying latin historiography late_republic early_empire deal role concept roman historiography late_republic early_empire shall_argue throughout_study analyse trace concept work historians period take heart question appraisal political_change roman_identity moral appraisal mean good comprehension concept new concept history vitae first shall introduce characteristic nature historical_writing approach ancient_modern historian shall challenge_current view complexity evaluate ancient_history rhetorical moral standard shall consider concept term etymology usage attempt_show particular connection also_develop explain concept place philosophical context iii form_part call history shall deal