Explain the ideas of bravery and honour in the context of Roman tradition.

Romans were military people who saw the readiness to risk one's life first for the Republic, and later on for the Empire, as one of the greatest qualities. They were supposed to be able to go through extreme conditions and avoid luxuries. Some of the most significant people in the Roman history and/or mythology were presented as brave soldiers and honourable leaders (prime example of this being Aeneas in Virgil's "Aeneid"). Military career was important in the cursus honourum (the political career ladder, significant especially during the Republic). Later on, during the Empire, emperors were presented as great warriors; many of the later ones also came from the military background.