Pietas

Pietas (Classical Latin: ), meaning duty, loyalty, or devotion, was an important virtue in ancient Rome. It described a person's commitment to their family, country, and gods. The hero Aeneas, from the story The Aeneid by Virgil, was known for his strong sense of pietas. People with pietas tried to do what was right for others, not just for themselves.

The Roman writer Cicero explained that pietas means doing our duty to our country, parents, and family. It involved treating everyone with respect and trying to honor others. Young people were especially eager to earn praise and remember kind acts from others.

The word pietas first appeared in English in a book published in 1789. It remains a reminder of the importance of loyalty and respect in relationships.

As virtue

Main article: Religion in ancient Rome

In ancient Rome, showing respect and care for one's parents was a very important way to show virtue. This idea, called pietas, meant being loyal and devoted to family and ancestors. It was so valued that some people even used special names to show they were especially respectful and devoted.

Pietas was a personal quality that lived inside a person. Unlike gifts from the gods, pietas helped people remember that good things came from a higher power. A person with pietas carried their respect for the gods into all parts of life, not just in temples.

This virtue was also very important in dealing with other countries. Leaders who showed they could be trusted and would not cheat were more likely to make peace and solve problems. Being honest and keeping promises helped Rome build strong and lasting friendships with others.

Iconography

Pietas was shown on coins as a woman performing a special ceremony using fire at an altar. The most important act in these ceremonies was called libation.

Pietas first appeared on Roman coins called denarii that were made by Marcus Herennius in 108 or 107 BCE. Pietas was shown as a goddess, and the idea of pietas was shown by a son carrying his father on his back. This image is also used in the story of Aeneas carrying his father Anchises out of the burning city of Troy.

The stork was also a symbol of pietas. Romans believed that storks showed loyalty to their families by returning to the same nest each year and caring for their older parents. A stork appears next to Pietas on a coin made by Metellus Pius.

As goddess

Pietas was a sacred idea in daily life that reminded people not to interfere with the world of the gods. When people went against pietas, special ceremonies called a piaculum were needed to make things right again.

The Temple of Piety in Rome was promised by a leader named Manius Acilius Glabrio during a battle in 191 BCE. His son finished building it near a big market area called the Forum Olitorium. Inside stood a shiny gold statue of Glabrio, the first such statue of an ordinary Roman citizen.

There is a famous story about a poor woman in prison who was very hungry. Her daughter gave her breast milk to help her survive. Instead of punishing the daughter, people admired her love and care. Both mother and daughter were freed and given help for the rest of their lives. This place became special to the goddess Pietas because it showed the deep respect and care children should have for their parents.

Pietas was also shown on coins with pictures of important women from royal families, showing that this virtue was perfect for them.

[Livia](/wiki/Livia) as Pietas

[Salonia Matidia](/wiki/Salonia_Matidia)