01-28-2010, 08:40 PM
Speaking as an American, I can attest that most Americans have no idea who Vespasian was. Americans know the names if 3 emperors: Augustus, Caligula and Nero. They may know of Constantine because they heard in Sunday school that he was the first Christian emperor. Many Americans think Julius caesar was an Emperor. If they recognize Commodus, it's because of the movie "Gladiator."
And why do people think that the only large Roman villas belonged to emperors? In America the great mansions and estates were built by business tycoons. In the late Republic, Crassus, Hortalus and Lucullus all had vast estates. during the Principate, there were plenty of huge senatorial and equestrian fortunes. Even freedmen could be fabulously rich. emperors weren't alone in that respect.
And why do people think that the only large Roman villas belonged to emperors? In America the great mansions and estates were built by business tycoons. In the late Republic, Crassus, Hortalus and Lucullus all had vast estates. during the Principate, there were plenty of huge senatorial and equestrian fortunes. Even freedmen could be fabulously rich. emperors weren't alone in that respect.
Pecunia non olet
