The Greek Philosophical Background

Abstract

Abstract Some components of the Romans’ ideology of marriage have emerged from consideration of legal structures, choice of coniunx, and wedding ritual. In Part III we shall examine popular morality, moving from the formal teachings of philosophers to the ideas expressed by poets, rhetoricians, and the authors of epitaphs. Because all Latin literature, but especially philosophical writings, was inescapably influenced by Greek tradition, it will be necessary to go back to classical Athens to disentangle some of the main themes and place Roman conventional theories in a cultural context.