Virtus

The centrality of aretē and virtus in the value systems of the Greeks and Romans has been examined by many scholars, yet the lack of a comprehensive study directly comparing the semantic development of each term within their individual historical and cultural contexts represents…

The Roman goddess Virtus has long been enshrouded in mystery from her cult to her image. Originally an ethical quality meaning “manliness,” virtus was deified during the Republic by the general Marcellus, who vowed to create a cult to the goddess during his campaigns against Rom…