A great book recommendation from Consul Philo. This book took a lot of work to find, it is old, printed in the 1960s and it was out of print. But I found it! A great book addressing the Roman virtues. This is such an important topic and one that is poorly understood! This book has increased my understanding of the Mos Maiorum substantially!
Of particular interest is the following argument -
The concept of virtus, and the general recognition which it achieved, became in time the undoing of the Roman nobility itself, the class which had given it birth. And this for two reasons: In the course of time’ the nobles transferred allegiance from virtus to gloria. Gloria is the proper reward for virtus, but when gloria is sought directly, w ithout reference to virtus, the ensuing lust for power and position destroys the state. At the same time new men, men of native genius, could justly claim pre-eminence in virtus over the defaulting nobles.
The, references and index are a goldmine. This is a work which lifts our understanding of Roman history from the pedestrian paths to which we have for so long been accustomed, and sets us on a height worthy of the theme or Roman Virtue.
