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Dignitas (Classical Latin:[ˈdɪŋnɪtaːs]) is aLatin word referring to a unique, intangible, and culturally subjectivesocial concept in theancient Roman mindset. The word does not have a direct translation inEnglish. Some interpretations include "dignity", which is aderivation from "dignitas", and "prestige", "charisma" and "power from personal respect".
Dignitas was the influence a male citizen acquired throughout his life, including personal reputation, moral standing, and ethical worth, along with the man's entitlement to respect and proper treatment owing to the reputation and standing of his family.
TheOxford Latin Dictionary defines the expression as fitness, suitability, worthiness, visual impressiveness or distinction, dignity of style and gesture, rank, status, position, standing, esteem, importance, and honour.[1]
Authors who had useddignitas extensively in their writings and oratories includeCicero,Julius Caesar,Tacitus, andLivy. The most prolific user was Cicero, who initially related it to the established termauctoritas (authority). These two words were highly associated, with the latter defined as the expression of a man'sdignitas.[citation needed]
The cultivation ofdignitas in ancient Rome was extremely personal. Men of all classes, most particularly noblemen ofconsular families, were highly protective and zealous of this asset. This is because every man who took on a higher political office during theRoman Republic considereddignitas as comprising much more than just his dignity. It referred to his "good name" (his past and presentreputation, achievement, standing, and honour). Its importance within thehierarchical classes of Roman society meant many historical figures would kill, commitsuicide (e.g.,Mark Antony), or enterexile in order to preserve theirdignitas.
The personal significance of one'sdignitas had encouraged several conflicts in ancient Rome.Florus claimed that the stubbornness ofCato the Younger had drivenPompeius Magnus to prepare defences in order to build up hisdignitas. Cicero wrote that Caesar valued his status so greatly that he did not want anyone to be his equal indignitas.Aulus Hirtius had written thatMarcus Claudius Marcellus, who was one of the instigators of Caesar's recall from Gaul, had attempted to build all of his own reputation on his success on turning people's feelings against Caesar. Whether the exact term was used much during these times is unknown; however, the concept ofdignitas was certainly influential and worth fighting for.
Over the course of ancient Roman history,dignitas had never taken on all of the aforementioned descriptions simultaneously. The term took on different meanings over time, adjusting for the gradually changing viewpoints of society, politicians, and the various authors.
Years after Caesar's death, his heirAugustus rejected the contemporary meaning ofdignitas. Augustus found the related termauctoritas to be a suitable alternative.
In 46 BC, Cicero cited the ambiguous nature of the concept ofdignitas. He wrote, "And so I have, if loyal feeling for the state and winning good men's approval of those loyal feelings is all thatdignitas amounts to; but if indignitas you include the power of translating those loyal feelings into action or of defending them with complete freedom, thenne vestigium quidem ullum est reliquum nobis dignitatis [not even a trace is left to us of our dignity]."[2]
When paired with the termotium, the worddignitas took on a different meaning. Cicero did not consider himself worthy of havingdignitas alone because he felt that—by turning his back on the Roman public—he had neglected the duty of one whose life had normally exemplified the concept. He then altered the definition to mean "[lifetime] impact", to better describe his unique status. By this time, Cicero's political life had ended, and he labelled his past political influence as hisdignitas, and his present standing asotium.
The dictionary definition ofdignitas at Wiktionary