Talking Ancient Rome with Paul Hyatt
Today, I am blessed to speak with Paul Hyatt, one of Homeschool Connections’ talented history teachers. Paul is teaching an exciting LIVE course on Roman history this fall called Roman Civilization, and I decided to talk to him about the ever-fascinating subject of ancient Rome.
Thank you for talking with me today. What do you enjoy about teaching Roman history?
Any subject I teach is another opportunity to learn, and I greatly enjoy learning. Roman history is fascinating. There is so much of it that an individual can become lost in it. However, not lost in the sense of being overwhelmed. I think this is because I have grown up in a Western world where Rome’s impact can be seen everywhere if we know where to look. While Rome collapsed quite some time ago, it still seems very familiar to me. I think this is why I have so much joy in teaching it. By studying Rome, we, in a way, see ourselves only a long time ago.
I agree. Even though many centuries have elapsed, Rome’s fingerprints are still all over our civilization! Would you say that Roman history, in particular, is important for students to learn, especially Catholics and/or students on a classical education track?
Studying Roman history is extremely important. It will help young people to understand the world around them at a much deeper level. Much of the great philosophical tradition that makes the West what it is developed in a Greco-Roman world. The governments we have today are heavily influenced by Roman republicanism and Greek democracy. Many of the standards for beautiful architecture and art developed in the Greco-Roman world. Christianity developed in a world that was ruled by Rome. Simply put, to not understand Rome is to not understand Western history.
Roman history is full of colorful characters. Do you have any favorites?
This is a really tough question. There are so many interesting Romans that the list could go on and on. However, I’ll do my best to keep it short. I really enjoy learning and teaching about Numa Pompilius (technically a Sabine, but became the second King of Rome), Poplicola, Cincinnatus, Fabius Maximus, Marcus Cato, the Gracchi brothers, Julius Caesar, Mark Antony, Augustus Octavian, and Constantine the Great.
Earlier, you mentioned that Rome influenced our system. The U.S. Founding Fathers deliberately modeled certain aspects of our government after the Roman Republic. What appealed to them about Rome’s government?
To say that Rome, specifically the Roman Republic, influenced the Founding Fathers would be an understatement. The structure of the Roman government greatly impacted our nation’s founders during the republican period. We can see this most clearly in the Senate and executive branch of our government today, the importance placed on smaller local governments, and the citizenry having a say in politics. However, it wasn’t just that they were interested in Rome for its structure. I think they also admired the pride of place Rome gave to the family and the private ownership of property. This is because Romans tended to believe these were aspects of human life that led to virtue.
Also, when we think of Rome, we tend to think of warfare. I think the Founding Fathers were likely the same as we are today. Due to this, I think our Founders greatly admired the idea of not having much for standing armies, which is a striking characteristic of early Rome. Instead, the Romans held levies at the beginning of a campaigning season. Therefore, when Romans went to war, the armies were incentivized to gain victory quickly so they could return home or settle elsewhere. Much of American history, up to and including WWII, mimicked this idea. There is so much more that could be said about Roman Laws, the fact that our Founding Fathers literally took Roman pen names, and many other things. However, I think this gives a pretty good idea of some of the ways the Founding Fathers were influenced by Rome.
Speaking of the U.S. and Rome, people today are fond of comparing the current state of our country with Rome’s downfall. Do you think this comparison is justified?
I think it is a fair comparison. However, not in the way that many think. Most do not know that Rome began as a monarchy, became a republic, and then became an empire. I do not think we are experiencing the fall of the Roman Empire, which is what I think most people are referring to. However, there are many parallels between where we currently are in American history and the fall of the Roman Republic. I say this because Rome defeated every other power in the Mediterranean, which, for its time, would have been similar to winning a world war. Then, shortly thereafter, the infighting began, and before too long, you had civil wars between political families.
The government that existed from that point forward was not necessarily bad. People were still able to, for the most part, live their lives normally. However, from that point forward, things were different. Things still looked like a lot like the Roman Republic. However, whoever became the next Augustus mattered greatly because they wielded a ton of power that no Roman ever had before that point. I am not saying this is going to happen in America. However, a compelling case could be made these days for what I have said.
Last year, there was a viral trend of women asking the men in their lives how often they thought about the Roman Empire. The women were shocked to find that most men thought about Rome at least once a day. Does this surprise you? And… how often do you think about Rome? I do think about it every day, to be honest.
This is my favorite question ever! My wife never had to ask me. She already knows I constantly think about Rome, and I don’t think it is odd at all to do so! In fact, I would think it odd if a man didn’t think about Rome, at least from time to time. I am only surprised by the shock of women. I think men orient themselves toward greatness. At least, if a man doesn’t, then he ought to. Rome, with all its flaws, achieved greatness for the Ancient world that commands our attention. Of course, we need to understand that Christian greatness is much different from that of the Romans, but it is still important to keep great ideals in mind and seek to achieve greatness in our own lives in everything we do. It makes life worth living and builds great civilizations.
Is there an overarching lesson we can take away from studying Rome’s history?
This is a tough but really great question. I will shoot from the hip with my answer here. I think the overarching lesson of Rome is that when men come together with a common purpose and pursue that purpose with some form of virtue in mind, then they can really achieve a level of greatness that will always command the respect of those who come after it.
The Romans were far from perfect. However, to go from a small city of a mixed batch of people to a powerful state that built a world around them that was administered well, lasted for a long time, built with beauty in mind, and, in a sense, is still alive in our day, leaves much for interested students to learn from. Of course, there are many things that the Romans were practicing that ought to stay in the past. However, those things they were pursuing that were noble ought to be studied and brought into our own lives.
Conclusion
My conversation with Paul Hyatt provided a fascinating glimpse into the profound impact of Roman history on our modern world. From the philosophical foundations of the West to the structure of our government, Rome’s legacy is unmistakable. Paul’s passion for the subject shines through, making his upcoming course on Roman Civilization an unmissable opportunity for students to dive deep into this captivating era!
If you enjoyed this interview and are interested in more from Mr. Hyatt, be sure to check out his other courses with Homeschool Connections. In addition to history, Paul teaches government and even woodworking, offering a diverse range of classes that cater to various interests and skills. His engaging teaching style and deep knowledge make every course an enriching experience.
To continue this discussion, join me and other homeschooling parents at our Homeschool Connections Community or our Facebook group!
