De virtute Romana

"Being a Man" by J. Sarsila is a deep and thorough research on the value system of Roman Republican society. J. Sarsila is not a cold, detached and neutral observer of the material he is dealing with, he is emotionally involved in his studies which he relates to his philosophical and ethical position: his opposition to the relativistic approach prevailing in modern world. For J. Sarsila Roman Republican society, built on a system of values centred on virtus, is not part of a past which is dead and gone, it can contribute to the discussion concerning the present and the future of mankind.

Anyway even though one might disagree with J. Sarsila's ethical and philosophical views one cannot but appreciate the seriousness of his work. His studies are absolutely reliable and shed new light on our knowledge of ancient Roman thought. 

Giuseppe Caruso

University of Jyväskylä

Finland