Восприятие времени и пространства в Римской империи эпохи Корнелия Тацита

Emphasizing the integrity of the mythological type of thinking of the Romans and the integrity of the picture of the world inherent in their consciousness, we did not leave without analysis the main ontological parameters of the existence of time and space, specifically developed by the consciousness of the inhabitants of the Eternal City. The direction of the flow of time in the collective understanding of the ancient Romans was cyclical. In the heritage of Tacitus, we found cycles of different lengths, the shortest of which was equal to one day.

Also among the manifestations of cyclicity can be called characteristic for the descendants of Romulus orientation in time in connection with the consulate, the annual oath to the emperor, the festive culture and similar phenomena repeated with enviable regularity.

It is impossible to deny the existence in the minds of the Romans of the idealization of the past, the psychological orientation primarily on the mores and traditions of the ancestors, the ideals of the Republic.

The Romans, who are not capable of changing the present, were much more concerned about the future, which is why there were many ways to gain it in their arsenal.

In the era of the Empire began the process of politicization (nationalization) of time. This is evident from the fact that the calendar years were designated by the names of the consuls. The princeps and the senate claimed the management of the qualitative characteristics of the time, and through this the subordination of the psychological state of the subjects.

The proximity of the Roman understanding of time to modern is the presence of a temporal orientation to cosmic phenomena. The essential difference, however, was that the Romans deified and animated the world of nature, perceived themselves inseparably from it, therefore the world of nature had a strong influence on the motives and patterns of their behavior. The desire to make at least partially controlled unpredictable natural force made the Romans respect the predictions, signs, dreams, and also introduce new means of influencing the space of nature – measures designed to create the illusion of managing space time.

Inherent in the mentality of the Romans, curiosity and practicality prompted them to be interested in the world around them. The earth was represented to them by a circle that washes the Ocean on all sides.