12-04-2008, 12:04 AM
When comparing the "lifestyle" of a reasonably well-off Roman - apartment or villa,'urban' and country lifestyles, baths, watching professional sports, bars, fast food etc; I am a little surprised that no-one has mentioned two distinct differences among so many similarities.....modern man has electricity, and the motor vehicle , both of which are at the heart of the modern Western lifestyle.......
As to 'slavery', this is an emotive word which conjures with it the slavery form which existed less than two hundred years ago- just a couple of generations.
Many 'moderns' bound to the drudgery of 9-5 work all their lives in order to exist, with no choice about it, or power to change it, might feel that 'feedom' is an illusion; they are not free, but mere 'wage-slaves'.
Equally, many ancient slaves in Rome might consider themselves blessed to have 'security of occupation' and the possible opportunity to prosper later as a 'freedman' under powerful patronage,,,, and doubly so at regular food and shelter, and access to medicine etc compared to the uncertain life, famines due to poor harvests etc, poor health etc which their 'wilder' barbarian cousins endured........
Everything is relative!! :wink: :wink:
D
As to 'slavery', this is an emotive word which conjures with it the slavery form which existed less than two hundred years ago- just a couple of generations.
Many 'moderns' bound to the drudgery of 9-5 work all their lives in order to exist, with no choice about it, or power to change it, might feel that 'feedom' is an illusion; they are not free, but mere 'wage-slaves'.
Equally, many ancient slaves in Rome might consider themselves blessed to have 'security of occupation' and the possible opportunity to prosper later as a 'freedman' under powerful patronage,,,, and doubly so at regular food and shelter, and access to medicine etc compared to the uncertain life, famines due to poor harvests etc, poor health etc which their 'wilder' barbarian cousins endured........
Everything is relative!! :wink: :wink:
D
"dulce et decorum est pro patria mori " - Horace
(It is a sweet and proper thing to die for ones country)
"No son-of-a-bitch ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country" - George C Scott as General George S. Patton
Paul McDonnell-Staff
(It is a sweet and proper thing to die for ones country)
"No son-of-a-bitch ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country" - George C Scott as General George S. Patton
Paul McDonnell-Staff
