A Roman Civics Lesson
Altars and Temples
Though baths, roads, Colisea, houses, food, even water are important to the health and well being of the city and its citizens, any good Roman will tell you that these pale in comparison with the importance of the blessings and favor of the Gods.
Just as the father of the family is responsible for his family’s worship and piety before the gods, so you too, as governor of the city, are responsible for your city’s worship and piety. In many ways, this sacred duty that you hold is the most important and, most awesome responsibility.
As governor of the city, you will need to work early on to ensure the Gods’ favor by building simple altars in your city. Remember that altars and temples serve the surrounding area so you must be sure to have enough altars and temples in your city for your citizens.
Altars and temples serve as a gathering point for the citizens where they can make their petitions of the Gods to have their needs fulfilled.
As Romans, just as we recognize many Gods, so we recognize many Temples with different purposes, functions and benefits for your city and people. It will be important for you as governor to understand the cults of major Gods such as Neptune, Bacchus, Fortuna and Vulcan and how their worship and their Temples can help the city and its citizens. As the city grows, you’ll find that not only do you and the citizens need the blessings of the Gods generally, but the specific blessings that a God can give to their area of dominion. For instance, you may want to erect a temple to Vulcan to give blessings to for construction projects in the city.
While some may scoff at the Gods or even, secretly, question their existence, as governor you must look at all times to the city’s worship and piety. A city that fails to honor the Gods properly risks their disfavor and could find itself beset by plague and enemies.
Public Monuments
Finally, that last area that I’ll counsel you to be sure to attend to are public monuments.
In many ways, I need not say anything about the importance of public monuments. After all, one need only look at the Pantheon built by Augustus’ trusted lieutenant Agrippa or the great column built by Trajan to see how public monuments are a way for a successful leader to leave his mark on his city and be remembered by the ages.
No, it’s obvious why you should be concerned with public monuments for yourself. But, you are a Roman and though personal glory is always an admirable goal for a Roman, don’t forget that your first duty is not to your glory, but the glory of the Roman Empire.
Public Monuments are important not because of how they commemorate your name for the ages but because of how they increase the prestige and statue of your city. Attend to that properly, and your own prestige will follow naturally.
Remember to look to that greatest model of civic planning and development, Augustus, who said that he found Rome a city of brick and left it a city of marble. And he did just that. The prestige of Rome as a city finally matched the greatness of her armies only after Augustus transformed the city into what we know it as today though his building of temples and public monuments.
Look to his example and build public monuments to celebrate the glory of the people of your city. When the Emperor grants you his favor to build golden statues, build them in your prestigious neighborhoods to celebrate their citizens achievements. And, when you are able and it is right, build Arches of Triumph to commemorate the successes of the city as a whole.
Your monuments will will increase the prestige of your neighborhoods and your city. Most of all, these in turn will increase the morale and the pride of your citizens and your troops.
Conclusion
I realize that I’ve given you a lot to think about. But, as governor, you have a lot that you are responsible for. Do not worry, though, for I have every confidence in you, your abilities, and your eventual success. After all, if I had any doubt, would I have taken you on as my client and my protégé? Your success or failure ultimately reflects on me. And, as you know, I never fail. Therefore, you won’t fail either.
Vale amice!
About the Author
Christopher works in information security and as a writer on computer security in the Pacific Northwest. He has been involved in computer games since falling in love with Adventure on the Atari 2600 in the mid-70's and gaming since the first edition of AD&D (Queen of the Demonweb Pits is still the best!). He has an interest in history, military history and strategy and tactics. In addition, he has an interest in philosophy, with a master's on Nietzsche and has written several articles for a London-based philosophy magazine.
Christopher regularly reads more books at once than he should and is currently reading Charles Freeman’s The Closing of the Western Mind, and Calvert Watkins' How to Kill a Dragon. He's partial to turn-based war-games such as Slitherine’s Legion and Chariots of War and HPS Simulation’s Point of Attack 2. He also still dusts DOOM and Heretic/Hexen off from time to time.
