PIETAS AND THE ALIMENTA ITALIAE

Abstract

Pietas is the Roman virtue which describes the concern and respect of the father for his children, or the state for its citizens. The Roman state was informed by religious values and traditional virtues. The Alimenta Italiae is the first known nutrition program for children initiated by the emperor Nerva (96-98 A.D.) and expanded by the emperor Trajan (98-117 A.D.). The scheme worked in this fashion: The state, in order to support agriculture made available to farmers low interest loans, however, the interest on the loans was repaid directly to municipalities which were obliged to use the money to provide food and necessities for poor children. The scheme ultimately came to cover thousands of children in Italy and was widely acclaimed. "Alim. Italiae" appears frequently on the coins of Trajan proclaiming the program to the known world. Despite much blather about traditional virtues, there is no positive family policy in this country. However, we do have a new agricultural policy which is to liquidate dairy herds lest the land be flowing with milk if not honey. Here, in one of the wealthier provinces failure to thrive is endemic. At the Brockton Hospital it is rare that a child is not hospitalized with the diagnosis of nonorganic failure to thrive. "Quo usque tandem abutere patientia nostra?"; loosely translated with apologies "Gimme a break."