Comparison of Roman and Medieval Societies

While Roman and medieval times both had their shining moments in history, there have been several main differences that have contributed to a changing society. These differences have made themselves evident when examining the idea of warfare in the two societies. The main differences in warfare are the motives and the tactics used to accomplish the ultimate victory of success.

The first difference in warfare between the Roman and medieval time period can be understood in one of the motives for engaging in battle. For Romans, it seems that military control was equated with political power. The more territory a person could conquer, the higher up he was on the political ladder. As in Caesar's Conquest of Gaul, we find Caesar holding military command in 59 B.C. that helped him to attain consulship status.[1] On the other hand, the Poem of the Cid portrayed the Cid engaging in warfare in order to protect his honor and his reputation. Early on in the book, he had been exiled by King Alfonso.[2] The Battles waged helped him earn territorial control, which, in turn, gave him honor and reputation that was lost by his exile.

Another difference in warfare between the two societies was the tactics that were displayed. In Caesar's actions we see that pummeling the whole territory and making it his own was very important. In his invasion of Britain, he surveys the land and indicates that he is not going to attack right away; however, he goes back on his word and attacks the country at once.[3] On the flip side, Cid, in his encounters with war, acknowledges the other side. After he defeats the enemy, he almost always sends gifts to the king. In the Second Cantar in the Poem of the Cid, we see that he sends gifts of 100 horses to the King.[4] Also, he gives thanks to King Alfonso for exiling him because he realizes the good that he eventually received from it.

Yet another key difference comes in the references about God. In the Poem of the Cid, usually there is a mention of God before or after a battle. For example, at one point in the book the Cid asks God that he could be victorious over his enemies. After the battle occurs and he realizes victory, he praises God for his win.[5] However, in the Conquest of Gaul, we do not see this same mention, if any, of any gods throughout the book. Caesar seems only to be concerned with his own agenda, and if he happens to be victorious, he contributes the victory to him and the skills that his army has displayed.

The motives, tactics used, and religiosity that changed between the two time periods in the matter of warfare were products of several other major societal and political revolutions that changed the way the two societies thought and acted. These changes were evident in the system of vassals and lords, the significance of the family unit, and also in the role of Christianity.

In early Roman times, the Patron and Client system was used. This was a system whereby the Patron and Client had a set of duties and benefits to provide to each other.[6] The relationship seemed more political-like in nature. For example, the Patron would help the Client attain a public office by helping him gain more votes. The Patron might also help his Client in legal matters. Later on, however, this system evolved into a system of vassals and lords. This was similar in nature to the Patron and Client system; however, it had a point of difference. The vassal's responsibility to their lord was not only a political one; their relationship had a more personal attachment to it. The vassal would also be faithful to his lord by providing personal protection.[7] In return for this service, the lord would give him food, clothing, and shelter. This system of vassals and lords may have contributed to the amount of respect that occurred during medieval times. We see this especially in the Poem of the Cid and the Cid's respect for the kings, but also in his respect for his own vassals.

Another societal change that was important was the significance of the family unit. In early Roman times, the family was an important institution of life. However, later in medieval society, the family unit becomes even more significant by becoming the cornerstone of each society. Around Caesar's time, the father in the family was considered most important. None of the children could acquire any property of their own while their father was still living. While the father's children were still living and adults even, all of the property acquired by his family was essentially his own.[8] Also, babies were frequently abandoned either to control the size of the family or to get rid of unwanted baby girls. In this society, boys were frequently considered more important because they could work more for their father, and they also could pass along the family name.

However, as time passed, things eventually did change. All of the property the family acquired was eventually passed along to the children, but only to the first born son. This was an heir system called primogeniture.[9] Women played more of a key role than they ever had before, though. Women could be vassals, and in some cases lords, and at times they could be peacekeepers between two lords, especially because they could marry more than once after their husband died. They also were in charge of their family's estate while her husband was away at war, and also were more responsible for the upbringing of the family's children.[10]

A final change that was very important was the religious factor. Romans, for the most part, were very polytheistic. In the early 11^th Century, however, the idea and a belief in one god became evident, and Christianity soon became popular. This was probably why God was mentioned often in the Poem of the Cid. As mentioned before, the Cid frequently prayed to God to ask him for his help, and to thank him for his victories. Christianity was popular at the time, and the Cid's book reflects this belief of the people.

In conclusion, there were several key societal and political changes carried out that were evident in the daily life of the people. These key changes, therefore, have been shown in the two books about warfare, Caesar's Conquest of Gaul, and the Poem of the Cid. It becomes clear in examining these two stories that ideas in society were changing in the two time periods. We see this change in the idea of warfare. Warfare in the medieval society that changed in respect to honor and reputation, war strategies, and God were all seen in the changes of the society of the time. Those specific changes in warfare were also changing and products of the system of vassalage, the differences in the family unit, which fostered unity and respect for each other, and the ease of Christianity into society. When we look at the two stories of the Cid and of Caesar, we find how and when the societies around them started to change.

[1] Julius Caesar, The Conquest of Gaul (London: The Penguin Group, 1982), 9.

[2] Paul Blackburn, Poem of the Cid (Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press, 1996), 5.

[3] Julius Caesar, The Conquest of Gaul (London: The Penguin Group, 1982), 98.

[4] Paul Blackburn, Poem of the Cid (Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press, 1996), 68.

[5] Paul Blackburn, Poem of the Cid (Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press, 1996), 88.

[6] Lynn Hunt, The Making of the West: Peoples and Cultures (California: Bedford/St. Martins), 160.

[7] Hunt, The Making of the West: Peoples and Cultures (California: Bedford/St. Martins), 333.

[8] Hunt, The Making of the West: Peoples and Cultures (California: Bedford/St. Martins), 161.

[9] Hunt, The Making of the West: Peoples and Cultures (California: Bedford/St. Martins), 337.

[10] Hunt, The Making of the West: Peoples and Cultures (California: Bedford/St. Martins), 337.