Nostalgia and Agricultural Ideals in Ancient Rome

This chapter explores the theme of nostalgia for a simpler past in ancient Roman culture, highlighting the contrast between the agrarian ideals loved by figures like Cato the Elder and the complex society of 29 BCE. It examines how literature reflected a longing for lost virtues amidst the realities of urban corruption and the rise of large estates. The analysis includes Virgil's works and the societal shift from farmer-soldiers to the luxurious lifestyles of Rome's elite, revealing the disconnect between ideals and the reality of agricultural exploitation.