Lifestyle of the Rich and Famous in Rome
In any society, the wealthy have a more civilized manner, and are able to enjoy more pleasures, than the common folk. They are expected to be well mannered, and their wealth brings them many extra riches to show off. This is true in the ancient Roman society of Apuleius' The Golden Ass. The elite did not work all that much, yet they had lots of inherited money, there for having an extraordinary amount of riches. They acted like sophisticated members of society, showing off their riches at every chance they got, hosting parties and entertaining guests. An important aspect of the elite's manner was they way the acted toward the opposite sex, an unrelated male and female were never to be alone together. Women of the elite were also only worthy of attaining a husband if they were still a virgin. A member of the elite worked to earn money, but not as often as the common man would have to, mostly because his wealth had been inherited. A man who worked for a living was looked down upon by the elite. For example Thelyphion, a member at Byrrhena dinner, worked for a living, and he was only there to
The elite's manner did not only contain this showing off of wealth, but it also required a certain behavior when among other women, especially unrelated women. An unrelated women and unrelated male were never to be left alone together, for they would have been thought to have sexual relation. Lucius is at first afraid to go up to Byrrhena, even though she is surrounded by servants, because it was uncustomary for unrelated people to introduce themselves (p.19). This behavior was so important because of what is valued in a woman of the elite. A girl was not considered for marriage unless she was a virgin. Sex before marriage was strongly looked down upon and if it occurred the girl's life was ruined. For example Charite is kidnapped by bandits, yet they do not attempt to rape her because if they did she would be worth nothing to the family and they would not receive a ransom from the girl's family (p.72). The wealthy acted like the very well brought up citizens they were. They showed off their wealth ever chance they got. For example Pythios, Lucius' friend shows off his wealth by not only dressing to the nines, b
Some common words found in the essay are:
Pythios Lucius', Golden Ass, Byrrhena Pythios, Thelyphion Byrrhena, Lifestyle Elite, unrelated women unrelated, unrelated male, unrelated women, ancient roman, entertaining guests, obtaining money, upper class, elite's manner, p16 19, women unrelated, amount riches,
Approximate Word count = 761
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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