Practicality Over Originality: The Roman Legacy

The Romans distinguished themselves not through original philosophical thought but through their application and systematization of existing ideas, making philosophy accessible to a broader audience. This practicality resonated throughout the Middle Ages and early modern period. However, with the advent of Romanticism and the renewed interest in classical thought, particularly in Germany, a shift occurred, leading to a perception of Roman practicality as a liability. The preference for either the Greeks or Romans often reflects the cultural and intellectual values of a particular era.