Transcript Decline in American and Roman Values

Decline in American and
Roman Values
By: Susan Rundell, Victoria
Wright, and Sarah Kearns
Roman Family Values
 Fathers had rule over
the house and had
the power of life and
death of his children.
 As society changed,
parental authority
decreased and
independence of
woman and children
grew.
Roman Family Traits
 It was important for
children to have
respect for their
parents.
 But even more
important was to have
faithfulness, courage,
and obeyed rules.
Decline in Family
As the independence of woman and
children grew, they could own property
and choose their own spouse.
Children didn’t get disciplined as much
from fathers.
Sons no longer obeyed their family’s rule.
American Family Values
 Thoughout American
history, the father of
the family was the
head of the house
and made important
decisions.
 Over time, women
and children had
more respect.
American Family Traits
 Children are expected
to be honest and
have respect for their
parents and to others.
Decline in Family
 Nearly half of families are
divorced.
 Children are alone while
parents are working.
 Randy Maxwell says, “As
much as we want to blame
Hollywood, the music industry,
or whatever, we have to blame
ourselves for allowing our
culture--a culture that is drunk
on violence…to poison our
children. We must protect our
own children.”
Citizen Rights of Rome
 Citizens were expected
to worship the emperor.
 Glory was given to them
if they did good deeds
that could allow them to
climb the social ladder.
 People served their
client system
 People were allowed to
have different religions
The Roman Client System
High classes set up a client system
This was where the lower classes had to
support them.
A patron could raise an army with his
clients and could hand out money to those
who deserved it.
Romans showed more alliance to their
high-class “owners” than to their empire.
Citizen Rights of America
 To vote
 Freedom of Assembly
 Military Service
 Religion
 Freedom of Speech
 Freedom of the Press
America’s “Client System”
 Although the higher
classes today do not
always look to the
lower classes, the
lower classes would
show more alliance to
people or idols that
interest them more
than the government.
Abuse of Roman Power
Rulers didn’t always do what was
politically correct but for themselves.
Augustus being called the “Son of a God.”
Diocletian having a purple robe with gold
embroidery that citizens to kiss the hem.
“Also of course many saw their time abroad as
a marvelous opportunity to enrich themselves
off the backs of their helpless subjects. (Roman
Life)”
Abuse of Roman Power
 After the
assassination of
Publius Helvius
Pertinax, his thrown
was auctioned off.
 He was killed
because he didn’t pay
out bonuses to his
advisors.
Abuse of American Power
Rod Blagojevich
Accused of selling Obama’s seat to the highest
bidder.
Wall Street Executives
Handing out bonuses with tax payer money
Roman Education
 Education was very
important to Romans and
was a way to show off
wealth.
 Rich got a lot of
education while poor
didn’t receive formal
education. Everyone
learned to read and right.
 Lessons were learned by
heart and students and
did not question or they
would’ve been punished.
American Education
Education is provided by the government.
All people are required to attend, but the
richer families go to colleges to get a fuller
education.
Students aren’t physically punished for
mistakes.
SAT scores have gone down by eighty
points in the past thirty years.
Decline in Education
Although the education system of Rome
and America is not the same, they have
flaws.
American schools are not as strict
While Roman schools were too strict.
Solutions
Awareness of the education problem.
Shift focus away from sports towards more
constructive topics.
Reevaluate the morals that our country
was founded on and adapt them to
modern America.
Have the leaders set a good example for
the people.
Conclusion
America is following the footsteps of the
Rome and will soon come to an end if we
do not change the path quickly.
Our values of family, citizenship,
leadership, discipline, and education are
visible flaws to both societies.
Works Cited
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