Gravitas

This article is about the ancient Roman virtue. For other uses, see Gravitas (disambiguation).

Gravitas (Classical Latin: [ˈɡrawɪt̪aːs̠]) was one of the ancient Roman virtues[1] that denoted "seriousness".[2] It is also translated variously as weight, dignity, and importance and connotes restraint and moral rigor.[1] It also conveys a sense of responsibility and commitment to the task.[3]

Along with pietas (regard for discipline and authority), severitas, gloria, simplicitas (lucidity), integritas, dignitas, and virtus, gravitas was particularly appreciated as an ideal characteristic in leaders.[2] Gravitas and virtus are considered more canonical virtues than the others.[1]

  1. ^ a b c Forbis, Elizabeth (1996). Municipal Virtues in the Roman Empire: The Evidence of Italian Honorary Inscriptions. Stuttgart: Walter de Gruyter. p. 94. ISBN 3519076284.
  2. ^ a b Shields, John C. (2001). The American Aeneas: Classical Origins of the American Self. Knoxville, Tenn.: University of Tennessee Press. p. 166. ISBN 1-57233-132-1.
  3. ^ Apuzzo, L.J.; Michael, M.D. (August 2006). "Gravitas, Severitas, Veritas, Virtus". Neurosurgery. 59 (2): 219. doi:10.1227/00006123-200608000-00001.