“As the grave closes alike over all whether important or insignificant, so in the roll of Roman magistrates the empty scion of nobility stands undistinguishable by the side of the great statesmen”

— Theodor Mommsen

Vol. 1, Book II, Chapter 8. "Law. Religion. Military System. Economic Condition. Nationality"
On the lack of individuality in Rome in the first ages of the Republic (in contradisticintion with the Hellenic cultures of Greece)
The History of Rome - Volume 1
Context: As the grave closes alike over all whether important or insignificant, so in the roll of Roman magistrates the empty scion of nobility stands undistinguishable by the side of the great statesmen [men] who had been at the head of the Roman commonwealth, as well as this Roman statesmen and warrior, might be commemorated as having been of noble birth and of manly beauty, valiant and wise; but there was no more to record [of their lives and deeds]] regarding them... The senator was intended to be no worse and no better then other senators, nor at all to differ from them. It was no necessary and not desirable that any burgess should surpess the rest, whether in showy silver plate and Hellenic culture, or in uncommon wisdom and excellence. The Rome of the period belonged to no individual; it was necessary that the burgesses should all be alike..

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Theodor Mommsen 65

German classical scholar, historian, jurist, journalist, po… 1817–1903

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