Mos maiorum

The mos maiorum (Latin literally means " custom of the ancestors " ) was in ancient Rome ( during both the Republic and even in imperial times ) the name given to traditional practices and customs which were regarded as the basis of the unprecedented success story of the rise of Rome to world power and of all those who aspired to public office, observe and comply as closely as possible were. This meant under circumstances strict compliance with Roman norms ( eg magistrates, the principle of annuity), and religious ( loyalty to the state cult and attend celebrations in honor of the state gods, sometimes the assumption of priestly offices by members of the patriciate ), military (eg acquisition of military responsibility for all who sought a consulate ) or public ( sacrosanctitas the tribunes of the people, respect the pomerium etc. ) duties.

The mos maiorum

For mos maiorum as it was understood, for example, from principled Cato, were:

• " Laboratory " The trouble is, the work that everyone should apply to the Company. The "res publica", so the state was preceded by the private life here.

• " Justitia " Justice. An addition to the work is also very high principle was justice. Cato, for example practiced this justice also against the enemies; so she was also a sign of honor.

• " Pietas " The honesty, piety, was also an important principle of ' mos maiorum '.

• "Res publica" This principle refers to the preemption of the state to private life.

• " Fortitudo " The strength, especially the strength here is meant in the military, who had done so mainly to flowering Rome.

• Roman law