Personal Significance
The cultivation of dignitas in ancient Rome was extremely personal. Men of all classes, most particularly noblemen of consular families, were highly protective and zealous of this asset. This is because every man who took on a higher political office during the Roman Republic considered dignitas as comprising much more than just his dignity. It referred to his "good name" (his past and present reputation, achievement, standing, and honor). Most politicians were prepared to kill, commit suicide (as in a famous case of Marcus Antonius), or go into exile in order to preserve their dignitas.
Read more about this topic: Dignitas (Roman Concept)
Famous quotes containing the words personal and/or significance:
“Take two kids in competition for their parents’ love and attention. Add to that the envy that one child feels for the accomplishments of the other; the resentment that each child feels for the privileges of the other; the personal frustrations that they don’t dare let out on anyone else but a brother or sister, and it’s not hard to understand why in families across the land, the sibling relationship contains enough emotional dynamite to set off rounds of daily explosions.”
—Adele Faber (20th century)
“History is the interpretation of the significance that the past has for us.”
—Johan Huizinga (1872–1945)