Early Years of Gaines Ancient Rome
William Gaines is widely credited as the father of ancient Rome in the United States. Although his style of writing was novel and often considered eccentric, it remains a classic in the annals of American literature. Gaines hailed from a prominent family in the Virginia colony, who had traveled to Rome in the mid-1700s. He attended the prestigious William and Mary College, where he honed his writing skills and cultivated a love of the classical world.
Gaines’ first foray into the ancient world came in 1781, when he published his first book, “A Treatise on Civil and Ecclesiastical Government in Ancient Rome,” which served as a guide for American Revolutionaries to understand the philosophy and structure of Roman governance. Oft-cited by future American generations, Gaines’ work became renowned for a vivid writing style which drew comparisons to the Classical Roman writers, Ovid, Cicero, and Virgil.
Throughout his life, Gaines’ writings continued to heavily focus on the Roman world, often times addressing that era’s complex social and political issues in an easily understandable way. From this, a love and admiration for all aspects of Roman civil life flourished in the greater American intellectual community. His stories were oft-covered in the American press and eventually, these stories began to shape the public’s perception of Rome. This foundation and newfound passion led Gaines to become a driving force in the development of a more tangible movement called the Roman Revival.
In order to propagate Roman ideals to the masses, Gaines looked towards France’s Roman Revival movement, which had utilized visual elements to shore up waning interest in classical antiquity during the late 18th century. The revival of this style in architecture, painting, and sculpture in the United States was led by Gaines and fueled by his respected works, ushering in a new era of Roman art and literature. By the end of his life, Gaines was heralded as a major proponent of the Roman Revival; a time period which is still influential today.
Gaines’ Roman Revival Movement
Gaines’ Roman Revival movement brought forward a philosophical expression akin to the original Roman Empire, covering facets from political to personal interactions. His works highlighted what he considered the most intricate values within the Roman political context and provided readers with a detailed view into Roman life. This was important to Gaines, as he argued that a full understanding of Roman values was essential to developing a truly functional democracy.
Gaines believed that the Roman Republic embodied the very best of the democratic system and so he admired the original Romans for their wise decision making and their impressive infrastructure. From his observations and readings of Roman history, he began to hone in on the key components of Roman values that he believed were essential to the building of the United States. Notable among the Republican values he discussed were the notion of equality, justice, and liberty. By emphasizing these values, Gaines drew attention to the major power dynamics at play between European nations and the American Revolutionary forces. Through his books, he expertly pointed out the disparity in power between the oppressive monarchy and the newly formed democratic nation.
Aside from providing readers with a critical analysis of Roman politics, Gaines also served to convey Roman philosophy on a personal level. In his writings, he showcased the Roman system of personal values, which was often the lynchpin of Roman society. His works highlighted the importance of honor, respect, and an overall sense of responsibility within the realm of private life. By providing this framework, Gaines enabled the public to understand why these values were so salient to political life and how they could be adapted in everyday life.
Gaines’ Legacy
Gaines’ contributions to the world of literature and to the revival of Ancient Rome are still felt to this day. His ideas represented the idea of a unified nation and provided a blueprint for his successors that still reverberates today. He argued that a nation could only be truly unified when the citizens understand and accept the values of the ancient Rome. Through his works, he empowered readers to rise above their current struggles and led the American Revolutionaries to one of the most successful victories in democracy.
Mention of Gaines’ works still remain in modern American culture and can be found in variant forms of media, from television sitcoms like Friends to video games like Civilization. Through the diverse mediums, his legacy is set in the digital Stone Age and still serves as an inspiration for generations of Americans to come. Gaines’ legacy will long remain an integral part of American history for centuries, for it reminds us not only of the greatness of Ancient Rome and its values, but also of the enduring power of literature to bring forth meaningful change.
Gaines’ Relations with Other Intellectuals
Gaines’ passion with Ancient Rome spread to noteworthy intellectuals such as Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and James Madison. Although Jefferson openly questioned the emphasis of Gaines’ works, he was also one of his greatest admirers. Gaines had a major hand in the writing of the Declaration of Independence; his followers believed that drawing on the Roman rhetoric, he effectively framed the ideas of equality, justice and liberty into a legislative document that’s still the foundation of the American nation.
John Adams, who had read Gaines’ works, was also a great admirer and is famously known to have commented, “He [Gaines] has…let in a flood of light upon the obscurity which has hitherto hung over the true origin and influence of the Roman Republic.” On the other hand, James Madison, the fourth US president, was skeptical of Gaines’ writings; understanding the risks associated with implementing ancient Roman values without taking into account the vast differences between the two eras, he was quick to point out, “I doubt if any rational purpose can be effectually answered by ‘lifting Rome to America’.”
Gaines’ Writing Style and His Place in the Canon
Gaines’ writing style was often considered to be vivid and unorthodox. He drew heavily from Roman narrative and rhetoric, taking a unique approach to create a bridge between Roman Caesarian glory and the urgent American Revolution. Whilst his works served to educate the Revolutionaries on Roman values, they also provided an entertainment factor, captivating the attention of readers and providing a new way of looking at the Classic period. Through his vivid writing, he created an indelible image of Ancient Rome in the minds of the public, one that still remains to this day.
Throughout his works, he expertly weaved philosophical questions with narrative and geopolitical musings. His words remained respectfully humble, often shy of offering definite conclusions, instead offering the public a variety of perspectives and criticisms of the Roman society. This approach remains fresh to many readers in the 21st century and has been widely praised as one of the strongest aspects of his works.
By expertly combining Roman rhetoric with American politics, he managed to usher in a new style of literature that combined political theory with narrative and entertainment. This reasoning style redefined what a political discourse could be, showcasing for readers the true power of words. To this day, his works are found in libraries around the world and he is remembered as both a founder of the American Revolution and an eclectic pioneer of the American literary canon.
