Please sing again, O Muse! This time, we sing of the perils of imperial Rome, and how they are like our own.
Like America, Rome had a drop in morality in marriage, with people succumbing to unhealthy appetites: "...there is nothing sacred to his lusts: not the matron of the family, nor the maiden daughter, not the as yet unbearded son-in-law to be, not even the as yet unpolluted son; if none of these be there, he will debauch his friend's grandmother" (Juvenal 109-111). I wish I could feel this were a mere exaggeration, but I fear it's all too true in both this generation and that. It sickens the heart to see the people sink so low that they can't control their passions.
There were many Romans who lived in poverty, and whose pleas for help fell on deaf ears: "Of all the woes of luckless poverty none is harder to endure than this, that it exposes men to ridicule" (Juvenal 148-149). Despite their many needs, those whose duty it was to help them did nothing in their defense.
Men poisoned themselves with drink just as willingly then as they do now: "Your drunken bully who has by chance not slain his man passes a night of torture...hot with wine and young blood" (Juvenal 278-280). Theft was another fear of man, not to mention murder. "When your house is shut, when bar and chain have made fast your shop, and all is silent, you will be robbed by a burglar; or perhaps a cut-throat will do for you quickly with cold steel" (Juvenal 302-304). O that we could live in the Golden Age, when locks and thefts did not yet exist, and all was young and innocent! Before the gods decided in their wrath to punish us with Pandora, and her jar of evil.
Before Augustus, there is mention of political corruption in the form of competition, lies, and even murder, as in the death of Julius Caesar. "...a group of patrician senators, fearing Caesar's popularity, conspired against him. Suetonius tells us that they stabbed Caesar 23 times on the steps of the Theater of Pompey..." (Augustus page 1). Though things are not quite as violent as that now, there is still plenty of metaphorical stabbing, both in the back and in the front. Even when great Augustus became princeps, ushering in an era of peace, he began by hunting down and murdering the conspirators against Caesar, going to war with Cleopatra, and murdering the son of that queen and Caesar, to avoid the competition (Augustus pages 2-3). Cruel and fierce Augustus was ruthless in his conquest.
The problems Rome did not have, to my knowledge, are with paranoia, and litter. In their day, Rome was the supreme power of the world; what did they have to fear from other countries? None could stand against the might of the Roman Empire, save the Gaulish people of a small village by the sea (Asterix comics, by Rene Goscinny and illustrated by Albert Uderzo). There was less need for paranoia in their time. As for litter, there is no apparent mention of it; besides, the Romans were very hygienic for their era. They created their own sewer system, and believed in bathing regularly. Besides, they didn't have aluminum, plastic, or many of the materials we have today that can be used to clutter the beaches. I'm sure back then, the oceans were more blue, and the forests far more plentiful.
And once again, the Muse's song ends, as she leaves on her dainty feet to acquire some throat spray.
Monday, October 28, 2013
Saturday, October 26, 2013
America's Problems
Open thy throat, O Muse! Let thy honey-sweet words pour forth, to enliven the eyes of our audience of the terrors that plague our country in this day and time!
First, I sing of a drop in moral scruples in the family. I sing of children in the streets, fighting like jackals over a carcass, just to survive. I sing of the broken household, the man who hurts the wife, the wife who hurts the husband, the man and woman who live like husband and wife, and the children who have to live in these places. Worst of all, I sing of our government who sees this suffering, and does nothing.
Next I sing of money. Never enough for those who need it, and those who have it spend it like sailors just in port. Those who would guard our society themselves, our government, are little better; hast thou heard of the national debt? Like a spider who gluts itself on countless flies, it continues to grow and grow, and we become more and more in debt.
Our country has become more paranoid and violent. One can hardly turn around without hearing some news about a bomb threat, or a shooting at a school, or political corruption. Gone are the days when Americans could board a plane, or walk the streets at night, or even ask for directions to such-and-such a place without fear. All is now chaos and panic.
America has stopped caring about itself. Trash litters the streets and gutters, like the bones of men in the cave of the Cyclops. On the beach, you find pieces of glass, old cans, and other things that hurt people and animals. Trees are chopped down without care for the environment. The earth cries out in pain, but our ears are deafened by our ear buds, phones, and television sets.
Lastly, I sing of lies. Lies we tell ourselves, and others. Thefts that often go unchecked, and people who willingly poison themselves for pleasure. Poisons of the body and mind, that eventually poison the soul. They enter the lungs, the throat, the veins, and/or the optic nerves. Many try to fight these poisons, but it's as if they are fighting a giant hydra: for every person they can save, two more turn up. It's a never-ending battle for the souls of man.
If thou find this Muse's song to be preachy, I apologize. I thank thee for thy time.
First, I sing of a drop in moral scruples in the family. I sing of children in the streets, fighting like jackals over a carcass, just to survive. I sing of the broken household, the man who hurts the wife, the wife who hurts the husband, the man and woman who live like husband and wife, and the children who have to live in these places. Worst of all, I sing of our government who sees this suffering, and does nothing.
Next I sing of money. Never enough for those who need it, and those who have it spend it like sailors just in port. Those who would guard our society themselves, our government, are little better; hast thou heard of the national debt? Like a spider who gluts itself on countless flies, it continues to grow and grow, and we become more and more in debt.
Our country has become more paranoid and violent. One can hardly turn around without hearing some news about a bomb threat, or a shooting at a school, or political corruption. Gone are the days when Americans could board a plane, or walk the streets at night, or even ask for directions to such-and-such a place without fear. All is now chaos and panic.
America has stopped caring about itself. Trash litters the streets and gutters, like the bones of men in the cave of the Cyclops. On the beach, you find pieces of glass, old cans, and other things that hurt people and animals. Trees are chopped down without care for the environment. The earth cries out in pain, but our ears are deafened by our ear buds, phones, and television sets.
Lastly, I sing of lies. Lies we tell ourselves, and others. Thefts that often go unchecked, and people who willingly poison themselves for pleasure. Poisons of the body and mind, that eventually poison the soul. They enter the lungs, the throat, the veins, and/or the optic nerves. Many try to fight these poisons, but it's as if they are fighting a giant hydra: for every person they can save, two more turn up. It's a never-ending battle for the souls of man.
If thou find this Muse's song to be preachy, I apologize. I thank thee for thy time.
Monday, October 21, 2013
Our Golden Age
Friends, Americans, classmates, lend me your eyes! I come, with the aid of the Muse, to sing of things that were. I sing of a Golden Age, of peace and prosperity for all.
In the Golden Age, war is a thing of the past; at least, even if you are obliged to conquer others, at least nobody dares attack you. There is plenty meat and drink for everyone, and the problems of war have been solved by a divine ruler. This ruler and all his (for sake of convenience, the Muse suggests I use the male pronoun) line are without question the sole heirs to the position; he is without rivals, and to whom the people are unquestioningly loyal. Though with a great deal of power, the ruler is a fair person, understanding the benefits of justice. He makes the punishment fit the crime, but can afford the luxury of mercy.
Romans praised Caesar Augustus's reign as a Golden Age. Having found peace in him, after the civil wars of Julius Caesar ended, the populus Romanus swore to follow him in all he did, finally united in their self-interests. Augustus took great pains to glorify himself, but also to create the pax romana, so that the country of Rome was at the "zenith" of empire. The empire had grown, and with Augustus as first citizen, became rich beyond its dreams. The sculptures began to express ideals more than truths, to glorify Augustus, and give the people someone to look up to. Seeing someone strong and capable, with a good countenance and images of the gods on his armor, inspired the populace.
Augustus used whoever he could to improve his image: Horace and Vergil wrote for him (see the Carmen Saeculare and Aeneid), sculptors redesigned him (Augustus of the Prima Porta and The Portland Vase), and architects created obelisks and buildings that idolized him (Ara Pacis, Augustan Forum, Basilica Julia, Curia Julia, and the horologium).
There are few other countries who can claim such a similar level of peace. The only ages comparable, to my mind, include the beginning of time, when Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden, living the age of innocence. Or perhaps, just after the Garden, when they were beginning to raise their family. Back then, there was peace, and learning to survive. They were so busy with these activities, they had no time for fighting.
America in the 1950's and early '60s at least pretended to be a Golden Age: the days of Camelot and John F. Kennedy, when the men were the breadwinners, the women the homemakers, and every house had a white picket fence, at least two children and a dog. There was an appearance of perfection and happiness, though there could be many skeletons lurking in the closets. Similarly to Augustus's time, the people pretended everything was perfect, despite the problems and imperfections they hid. Also similarly, America was very prosperous, compared to most of the rest of the world.
America is still prosperous, but we are definitely not in a Golden Age. There's war, recession, hostility towards our leaders and general contention every time we turn around. We can only work and wish to gain that ideal era. The Muse has finished her song again; though this time, there was less beauty in her words. I apologize.
In the Golden Age, war is a thing of the past; at least, even if you are obliged to conquer others, at least nobody dares attack you. There is plenty meat and drink for everyone, and the problems of war have been solved by a divine ruler. This ruler and all his (for sake of convenience, the Muse suggests I use the male pronoun) line are without question the sole heirs to the position; he is without rivals, and to whom the people are unquestioningly loyal. Though with a great deal of power, the ruler is a fair person, understanding the benefits of justice. He makes the punishment fit the crime, but can afford the luxury of mercy.
Romans praised Caesar Augustus's reign as a Golden Age. Having found peace in him, after the civil wars of Julius Caesar ended, the populus Romanus swore to follow him in all he did, finally united in their self-interests. Augustus took great pains to glorify himself, but also to create the pax romana, so that the country of Rome was at the "zenith" of empire. The empire had grown, and with Augustus as first citizen, became rich beyond its dreams. The sculptures began to express ideals more than truths, to glorify Augustus, and give the people someone to look up to. Seeing someone strong and capable, with a good countenance and images of the gods on his armor, inspired the populace.
Augustus used whoever he could to improve his image: Horace and Vergil wrote for him (see the Carmen Saeculare and Aeneid), sculptors redesigned him (Augustus of the Prima Porta and The Portland Vase), and architects created obelisks and buildings that idolized him (Ara Pacis, Augustan Forum, Basilica Julia, Curia Julia, and the horologium).
There are few other countries who can claim such a similar level of peace. The only ages comparable, to my mind, include the beginning of time, when Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden, living the age of innocence. Or perhaps, just after the Garden, when they were beginning to raise their family. Back then, there was peace, and learning to survive. They were so busy with these activities, they had no time for fighting.
America in the 1950's and early '60s at least pretended to be a Golden Age: the days of Camelot and John F. Kennedy, when the men were the breadwinners, the women the homemakers, and every house had a white picket fence, at least two children and a dog. There was an appearance of perfection and happiness, though there could be many skeletons lurking in the closets. Similarly to Augustus's time, the people pretended everything was perfect, despite the problems and imperfections they hid. Also similarly, America was very prosperous, compared to most of the rest of the world.
America is still prosperous, but we are definitely not in a Golden Age. There's war, recession, hostility towards our leaders and general contention every time we turn around. We can only work and wish to gain that ideal era. The Muse has finished her song again; though this time, there was less beauty in her words. I apologize.
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