Paper Example on Roman History: Cassius Dio's Insight on Marcus Antoninus

Introduction

The history of the Roman has vast in-depth from ancient times, with some beliefs shifting overtime. Cassius Dio, an author to Roman history, was a Roman statesman and focused on the origin history of Greek and Roman. In the texts by Cassius Dio, Epitome Book LXXI, LXXII, and LXXIII, the author provides vast information about the Roman people based on the life of Marcus Antoninus. The document offers extensive knowledge on the meaning of being Roman and the responsibilities that encompass the role. Understanding what contains being Roman helps us identify the purposes of individuals in society and to the Roman state (Dio, P. 3-7). Besides, there is vast in-depth in consists of what being Roman. Depending on the class, one fits within, identifying an individual as a citizen or a person from Rome delves towards ascertaining the cultural, social, and political aspects of the Roman state. Cassius' position in Roman helped him attain vital data and knowledge concerning Roman history. The author's testimony is very crucial since he was involved in learning and was part of Roman history in the making. Based on the text by Cassius Dio, the author would provide a precise and straightforward answer and analysis for this paper.

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Meaning of being Roman

Furthermore, understanding the meaning of being Roman starts with recognizing and knowing the leadership of Marcus Antoninus, as discussed by Cassius Dio. Marcus Antoninus, the ruler who obtained the throne from his adoptive parent Antoninus, changed the essence of being a Roman. Being a philosopher, Marcus ruled by leading individuals to follow his philosophies by using himself as an example and spreading peace as per his stoic beliefs. Marcus was one of the best emperors of Rome and ensured that the Roman citizens realized the context associated with being a citizen (Dio, P. 3-7). His Stoic philosophies played a significant role in ensuring that people understood the vitality of peace and people's obligations to the state and one another. Despite the good present in Marcus as a leader, he had weaknesses showing that he was a man. Marcus Antonius had challenges with his brother Lucius Verus with whom there was vast pretense in their sharing of power. The hatred between the brothers delved towards both of them plotting against one another.

Despite the Emperor's leadership, using his stoic philosophies, being Roman associated with Marcus' command in that, the positions of individuals shaped their definition as Romans. The reign of Marcus Antonius was highly dictatorial, whereby, refusing to obey the set laws associated with severe punishment, even death for individuals within the state. Soldiers often satisfied their roles without questioning due to the ruling of their Emperor that the well-being of Rome was part of their obligations (Dio, P. 39-40). The wit and knowledge of Marcus in leadership supported his abilities to win the war over the Germans with the help of Pompeianus and Pertinax, making most join and support him during the wars. Through the unity of most leaders under the reign of Marcus Antoninus, there is a consistent expression of the definition of being Roman. Cassius supported the reign of Marcus by helping separate unions that would challenge the stability of Rome and challenge the superiority of the state. For that reason, being Roman involves every individual identifying themselves as Roman, working to support and protect the interest of the country. Therefore, in whatever position one has in Rome, to be Roman, individuals should follow the state rules, be patriotic, and play the role of protecting the interests of Rome as Cassius Dio did during the reign of Marcus Antonius.

Meaning of Being a Roman Citizen

Every state has particular laws that one needs to attain before being a citizen of the country. Being a Roman citizen involves having legal recognition as a member of Rome. As such, being a Roman citizen during the reign of Marcus Antoninus, as depicted by Cassius, involved being patriotic to Rome, living a peaceful life with other Roman, and always defending Rome against any enemies. Patriotism from a Roman citizen means individuals being honest and doing well to their country and leader (Dio, P. 47-51). The death of Cassius Dio associated with his loss of focus and lack of patriotism for Rome. Despite being a Roman Citizen, Cassius became more interested in assembling power than protecting the interest of Rome as required. Due to his actions, Cassius was sentenced to death through execution, by working with Faustina to gain power. Breaking the laws and betraying the throne is part of a Roman Citizen who is not patriotic to his/her country for the satisfaction of their interest.

Marcus's Stoic philosophies provided detailed explanations of the meaning of what encompasses a Roman Citizen through guiding individuals on the best way to living a peaceful life with one another. The war and betrayal within and out of Rome brought about vast conflict leading to many losses. Through the presence and spreading of peace, growth, and development impacts Rome. In Roman, through order, the citizens worked in unity allowing the country's defeat over any other country. Besides, following the principles of their leader, the Roman citizens efficiently worked with each other, by supporting, correcting, and guiding one another to lead better lives. Living peaceful lives reduced chances of Roman citizens breaking set laws. Defending Rome against enemies within and outside is another huge part of defining a Roman citizen. Rome had many enemies (Dio, P. 329-331). Most due to the massive desire to gain more power. Some Roman citizens who fought to protect the country were soldiers directly linked to Marcus or those who worked under lieutenants and leaders who believed in the work of their Emperor Marcus and joined in alliance for the cause of Rome. Besides, the common man is not less of a citizen due to their position in the political, social, and economic status of Roman. The common man is a Roman citizen as long as the law recognizes the individual as a Roman by birth or marriage, and one abides by the set laws.

Obligations and Rights of a Roman Citizen

The obligations and rights of citizens in a state helps protect individuals and ensure that everyone plays a part in helping the country prosper. According to Roman history, every individual had the right to become a Roman Citizen through the act of marriage, to have a lawful marriage, and to avoid paying some taxes, including local fees. The union between two people in case one is not a Roman citizen bounds people and grants citizenship as long as the couple stays married. The breakage of a marriage union threatens the right to citizenship by an individual. The marital act between individuals marked the onset of another chapter of life (Dio, P. 13-41). As such, in Roman society, individuals had a right to decide whether one wants to marry and bear children. If one decides against the notion, the person can exercise his/her right to serve the country in other ways, including joining the forces to fight against enemies of Rome. Marriage is right as long as it exercises all the laws, including not marrying another man's wife; otherwise, it is breaking the law.

Paying of taxes is an obligation of every Roman citizen as long as they are adults and work to sustain themselves. Despite the tax obligation, the Roman citizens have a right to avoid paying some taxes, including local fees. One vital duty of Roman citizens involves following all the set laws of the state by the government. Since laws are present to ensure the existence of peace and order within a country, every Roman citizen had a responsibility to respect and obey the set rules. The existing culture of the Roman people structured fathers as the head of the household (Dio, P. 61). Therefore, Roman fathers had power over their families with a duty to provide for and protect the needs of their family members. Nurturing a society with individuals understanding and guiding young ones, was an obligation for every elder in Rome. As such, people grow up understanding the expectations of the state and their position. Therefore, individuals can easily follow the laws and satisfy their roles or obligations.

Conclusion

In summary, the ancient Roman civilization is the root of the constitution of Rome. Cassius Dio, a Greek and Roman Historian, provides vast in-depth on the definition of a Roman. The Epitome Book LXXI, LXXII, and LXXIII, as written by Cassius Dio, expand the realization of what entails being a Roman, a Roman Citizen, plus the obligations and rights of Roman citizens during the reign of Marcus Antoninus. Marcus Antoninus attained leadership from his adoptive father and shared leadership with his brother Lucius Verus though it was all pretense, and they both shared hatred for each other. Being a Roman depends on identifying the governance of Marcus Antoninus through his Stoic philosophies plus believing and valuing the political and social beliefs of the Romans structures a person as a Roman. A Roman citizen is one recognized legally as a citizen of the state. The right to become a Roman Citizen was through the act of marriage, having a lawful marriage, and to avoid paying some taxes, including local fees. However, one was obligated to pay taxes and following the set laws by the government.

Works Cited

Dio, Cassius. Roman History. 9th ed., the Loeb Classical Library edition, 1927. (1-339)