* * * and early Rome, why was the Roman diet so simple?

Before the 2nd century BC, the simple diet of the Romans was an inevitable product under certain historical conditions. It was the result of the comprehensive effect of many factors, such as the backward small-scale peasant economy, the complicated external living environment and the tradition of advocating hard work and simplicity. I. Relatively backward small-scale peasant economy

As we all know, Rome has been a typical agricultural society for nearly 5 years from the establishment of Rome in 753 BC to the Great Conquest. Various customs and habits of Roman society are inextricably linked with agriculture.

At the beginning of the birth of the city of Rome, the city boundaries of Rome were defined by the gullies drawn on the land by cattle farming fields; From an ancient wedding in Rome? Wheat cake ceremony? Ceremony? That is, at the wedding, wheat cakes made of wheat are dedicated to the gods. The name of this ceremony comes from farmers planting grain; There are many ancient traditional festivals in Rome, such as Spring Festival and bacchanalia, which are closely related to agricultural production and farmers' life in ancient Rome.

From these customs and habits involving all aspects of ancient Roman life, we can easily realize that agriculture played a decisive role in ancient Rome. As Monson thought:? Legends and beliefs, laws and customs, whether in Italy or Greece, are always associated with agriculture. ?

At the same time, in the eyes of ancient Romans, agricultural production was the best of all occupations, and they were very proud of being an agricultural nation. No wonder Appian commented:? Life in the mainland has the pleasure of agriculture and tranquility. Although the benefits of agriculture may be less than those of commerce, they are more reliable and much safer. ? So,? Writers in ancient Rome, from old Cato to Virgil and later writers, regarded the simple agricultural society as the golden age of Rome. ? Considering the social and economic conditions of Rome at that time, in order to ensure the stable and healthy development of social economy, ancient Rome adopted the policy of emphasizing agriculture and restraining commerce. 1. As the first written code in Rome, the Law of Twelve Copper Tables is of great significance in consolidating all aspects of Roman rule

Some provisions of this law fully reflect the importance and encouragement of agricultural production in ancient Rome, and fully protect the interests of farmers in the form of legislation. The seventh table of the Twelve Copper Tables Act? Land rights law? The possession, sale, etc. of land are specified in detail, and the rights of landowners are guaranteed in the form of law, and it is also in Table 8? Injury method? It is stipulated that it is a great crime to secretly cut crops or raise livestock on cultivated land at night 2. If the offender is an adult, he will be sentenced to hang to sacrifice to the valley god? This punishment was more severe than the punishment for murder at that time; If the offender is a minor, he should be flogged at the order of the Chief Justice and fined twice the losses caused.

Rome has effectively guaranteed the development of agricultural economy and the interests of farmers to a great extent through the explicit provisions of written laws.

From the 5th century BC to the 3rd century BC, with the victory of the foreign conquest war, the land area of Rome continued to expand, but at that time, the foundation that dominated the Roman economy was still agriculture. As Wells described it:? In the second half of the fifth century BC, Rome was still an aristocratic society of free peasants. It covers an area of 4 square miles and has a population of no more than 15,. Almost all of them are scattered in the countryside and divided into 17 districts or agricultural tribes. Most families own a small piece of land and a house? Most people cultivate grain, and occasionally grow grapes and olives on strips of land. Grazing a few cows on the nearby commons, clothes and simple farm tools are homemade at home. Only occasionally do you enter that fortified town at special times? Grain, oil and wine were exchanged for salt or crude iron tools and weapons. ?

such a production lifestyle? According to the growth law of crops, the Romans had to join the army in their spare time, which made the Romans have no more time to engage in other economic activities except agriculture to get more returns. On the other hand, due to the backward production technology, the production capacity of the land was limited after all. When the harvest is good, the small-scale peasant families in Rome can basically be self-sufficient, but there is no surplus agricultural products to be used for luxurious consumption.

Through continuous colonial expansion and land distribution policy, Rome basically solved its land problem, and almost everyone who longed for a piece of land could be satisfied. Because the agricultural production technology was still relatively backward at that time, the output of agricultural products in Rome was relatively low. In order to harvest enough food from the land, Rome must work hard. Therefore, engaging in agriculture was an important aspect of the production and life of * * * and the early Romans, which occupied almost all the time of the Romans except participating in the war.

At the same time, agriculture was the only source of survival for the Romans at that time, and the Romans attached great importance to their profession. Even the Roman nobles with higher status were content with agricultural production, and they? The situation of participating in labor is no less than that of tenants and farmers. He personally checks and participates in everything he does, and the rich people think that a good farmer is the highest praise for them. His home is in the countryside, and there is only one apartment in the city. Is that just for his convenience in doing things in the city, or for breathing fresh and pure air in hot weather? . 2. Different from the development of agriculture, Rome's handicraft industry and commercial trade were underdeveloped

In ancient Italy, due to its own natural conditions, various mineral deposits were quite scarce, and the reserves of gold and silver were extremely low. Even the exploitation of iron and copper was limited to the narrow strip of Ruria, Huette. This reality of limited resources made the Romans lack natural conditions and advantages to engage in industrial production. Therefore, the production scale of their industrial products was small, and there were few employees. Many industrial products were basically completed by small-scale manual workshops. Most of the industrial products produced there are agricultural tools and some household necessities needed by the Romans in their daily lives. Of course, Rome will also produce some military supplies such as weapons and defense equipment for practical needs. In addition, the early commercial trade in ancient Rome was not developed. This is mainly reflected in three main aspects: the types of commodity exchange are few, the status of merchants is extremely low and the media of commodity exchange is backward.

Historians have found in their research that Rome's commerce first developed in coastal areas. At that time, as the object of commodity exchange, it was mainly limited to some necessities such as salt and clothes.

At the same time, the merchants in ancient Rome, as a marginalized group in the society at that time, were few in number, had low status and were not protected by law. Especially in 284 BC, Claudius decree? After the promulgation, Roman elders and nobles were also banned from directly engaging in industrial and commercial activities.

All these inevitably restricted the normal development of commercial trade in ancient Rome. In addition, as a medium of commodity exchange? Currency is one of the indicators that can fully reflect the degree of commerce and trade in a country. In Rome * * * and the early period, the emergence and development of money was relatively backward, which fully reflected the limited development of its commercial trade. According to records, it was not until 325 BC that Rome began to cast metal money. Before money came into being, the Romans exchanged it with barter or with cattle and sheep, and later used bronze.

According to the eighth table of the Twelve Bronze Tables Law, the fine in Rome at that time was calculated by the weight of bronze. For example, the third paragraph of the eighth table stipulates that if a slave breaks a free man's bone with his hand or stick, he has to pay 15 pounds of copper as a fine.

from this, we can see that it is precisely because of the above-mentioned reasons that the small-scale peasant economy, which was dominant in ancient Rome, developed relatively slowly, while other economic sectors could not develop rapidly for a long period of time. It is this relatively independent and decentralized small-scale peasant economy that constitutes the economic foundation of * * * and the early Roman society. The backward agricultural production technology, the regularity that the land can not be overloaded, the limited crop yield and other factors decided the simple lifestyle of the early Romans to a great extent. Second, the threat of invasion from foreign enemies

As we all know, the history of the formation and development of the Roman state is inseparable from the hundreds of wars it has waged in succession for hundreds of years. But before the victory of the third Punic War, The living environment of the Romans was very sinister, with few people and a small country, surrounded by strong enemies? . Rome has always been in a dangerous situation. If you are not careful, you will be doomed. Such a sinister external environment not only seriously affected the agricultural production in Rome, but also the Romans must keep a high degree of vigilance, not be greedy and careless, and learn to survive in the difficult situation surrounded by strong enemies.

When Rome was first built, it was just a small city-state located in Latin area on the east bank of the Tiber River. For a newly-built city-state, Rome's status was very low at that time, and even its survival was in jeopardy. In many cases, it had to be ruled by other nationalities. It was not until 51 BC that Rome finally expelled Takvin, the last king of Ida larrea, through various efforts, and successfully established the Republic of China the following year. However, in the first hundred years after the founding of the People's Republic of China, its diplomatic situation was also very difficult. Because in its north, the Idalarians, with their strong economic and political strength, firmly control the whole central Italy where Rome is located. At the same time, the remnants of the Tacvin family are eyeing Rome, a small city-state, and are constantly seeking opportunities for restoration. In addition, located in the east and south of Rome, there are often various mountain tribes who have repeatedly invaded, including Sabin, Urqué and Wolski.

to make matters worse, some neighboring Latin cities refused to recognize Rome's leading position, and instead pointed their finger at Rome. It was in this living environment that the Romans went through a difficult period.

According to historical records, in the 4th century BC, Rome was violently invaded by Gauls. In the Battle of Arria in 39 BC, Rome was finally defeated by Gaul because of its weak strength. Rome could only send military and political officials to negotiate with the Gauls. Finally, the two sides reached an agreement that 1 pounds of gold was the condition for the Gauls to withdraw from Rome.

For the Romans, such an agreement is definitely an unacceptable painful decision and shame. However, this shame was further deepened by the despicable means of Gaul. Because Gauls used unfair weights in this process. When the Roman military and political officials protested strongly, the arrogant and arrogant Gaul simply put the sword on the scale and laughed at the Romans. The conquered should be unlucky. ?

However, in the second Samnites War not long after, the Romans once again suffered the humiliation of defeat. In 321 BC, Samnites, under the leadership of General Pontius, surrounded the Roman army in the Gorge of Cordion and forced them to surrender. Roman soldiers had to surrender because of lack of food and overwork. In order to show off their victory, the Samnites asked Roman soldiers to line up through the yoke door made of three spears, which symbolized humiliation and submission. When the news reached Rome, the people all over the country were deeply saddened. Because they think that the shame of passing under the yoke door is far greater than death on the battlefield. It can be seen that Rome at that time was forced by the fatigue of its strong enemies around it and had to accept these humiliating conditions.

It is * * * and all kinds of worries and threats in the early days that remind the Romans that they must have a sense of hardship. In the face of strong enemies around them, the Romans are very aware of the attitude they should hold towards life. At the same time, it is under such circumstances that their patriotic feelings and cohesion have been unprecedentedly improved.

Therefore, in this severe external environment, in order to survive and develop, they have to live, work and fight hard, and it is impossible to live a comfortable and luxurious life. Third, the tradition of advocating hard work and plain living

* * and in the early stage, the Romans inherited the fine tradition of hard work and plain living of their ancestors. People are hardworking and brave, simple in food and clothing, and do not pursue luxury enjoyment. At that time, the Romans were content with simple daily meals, simple clothes and simple houses. Even the nobility? Use an axe and a plow, do it yourself, eat only superficial food and be full of energy, and wear clothes woven by yourself at home? .

until about the 3rd century BC, this social atmosphere remained unchanged. The Roman diet is still as simple and simple as before. At that time, the houses people lived in were not luxurious in appearance, without any fancy decoration in the room, and the daily necessities were very simple and practical. At that time, even the most distinguished elders sat on hardwood benches when they met in the Chamber to discuss the country. Even in order to save money, they wouldn't make a fire to keep warm in the cold winter.

under such circumstances, it is extremely rare to wear gorgeous clothes, expensive jewelry and eat exquisite food. It should be said that the Romans in this period inherited the fine traditions of their predecessors. They advocated frugality and hated luxury, while those who craved enjoyment and ate luxuriously would not only be spurned by people, but even be punished by law. There was once a prominent example:? Before the Punic War, an archon was punished for having more than 1 pounds of silverware at home. ?

*** and the early Romans not only inherited the traditional virtues of simplicity and frugality in their lives, but also most of them could abide by the principle of honesty and integrity. According to records, in 53 BC, a man who served as consul for four times? Publi uz? After Valerius died, due to lack of funeral expenses, each man gave a Quartalius to bury him.

another Manius who was a consul? Courriou has made great achievements in various foreign wars. After defeating Samoan, Sabine and Pyrrhos, he was able to return home dressed in rags and enjoy his life, but he still lived a frugal life after returning to the countryside. Even when Samoan people tried to bribe him with a large piece of gold, he flatly refused. He said:? In my opinion, owning gold is not great, and it is great to rule those who own gold. ? .

Therefore, when describing the history of * * * and early Rome, the Greek historian polybius spoke highly of it. No matter how many employees watched him, the Greeks could not stop him from embezzling public funds, while the Romans did not. They used a lot of public funds, but few cases of graft were found. ? The famous historian Li Wei even thinks? No country has ever been stronger than Rome, with purer morality and more diverse examples, and no country has put an end to luxury and greed for so long, and advocated thrift and poverty so highly and persistently. ?

Although his words are suspected of exaggeration to some extent, we can't deny that there was a widespread phenomenon of "taking" in * * * and early Rome. Simple and pragmatic, loyal and patriotic and law-abiding? Traditional virtues as the core.