While ancient Rome achieved many awe-inspiring feats, it is also remembered for its controversial citizens—especially its leaders—who embraced unrestrained decadence. Their conduct was so outlandish that tales of their misbehavior still circulate today. If the ancient authors are to be believed, then gluttony, greed, treachery and violations of sexual mores permeated the later Roman Republic and the Roman Empire.
Of course, ancient writers enjoyed exaggerating details and passing unsubstantiated rumors off as veritable facts. Regardless of their embellishments, as Rome’s might grew, well-placed Romans noticed unmistakable instances of moral depravity. Luckily for them, all hope was not lost because Rome boasted some worthwhile role models, at least those from much earlier in its history. One particular Roman stood above all others—Marcus Furius Camillus—who was an exemplar of Roman virtue and considered Rome’s second founder for his invaluable contributions to the city-state.
The Enigmatic Legacy of Marcus Furius Camillus: Separating Fact from Fiction
Throughout much of Rome’s existence, Camillus was a household name, and tales of his exploits survive even to this day. Unfortunately, there are virtually no extant documents—save for some fragments—from Camillus’ era. Most of what we know, or think we know, about Camillus stems from authors from much later dates, and their writings come with limitations. These documents…
