Latin: Gravitas (pronounced as /la-x-classic/) 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. It also conveys a sense of responsibility and commitment to the task.[3]
Along with Latin: [[pietas]] (regard for discipline and authority), Latin: severitas, Latin: gloria, Latin: simplicitas (lucidity), Latin: integritas, Latin: [[Dignitas (Roman concept)|dignitas]], and Latin: [[virtus]], Latin: gravitas was particularly appreciated as an ideal characteristic in leaders. Latin: Gravitas and Latin: virtus are considered more canonical virtues than the others.
Latin: Gravitas was one of the virtues that allowed citizens, particularly statesmen, to embody the concept of Latin: [[romanitas]],[4] which denotes what it meant to be Roman and how Romans regarded themselves, eventually evolving into a national character.[5] Many Roman philosophers praised Latin: constantia (perseverance, endurance, and courage), Latin: dignitas, and Latin: gravitas as the most important virtues; this is because they made dignified men capable. They accompany Roman actions.[6] The men of the ruling upper and upper-middle classes were educated in a public school system where Classical language and literature formed basic elements of the curriculum.
Exuding Latin: gravitas or dignified and serious conduct allowed Romans to maintain a persistent element of conservatism and traditionalism. According to the Roman emperor and philosopher Marcus Aurelius, the cultivation of Latin: gravitas involves acting with sincerity and dignity, by being temperate in manner and speech as well as by carrying oneself with authority.[7]
Other sources associate Latin: gravitas with living an austere lifestyle. It was one of the moral bases of the sanctioned control exercised by the Roman Latin: censores (see Roman Censors). An account described how old statesmen who realized that they no longer meet the standards of Latin: romanitas for failing to perform their public function with dignity and Latin: gravitas committed suicide or simply refused taking food. This concerned how the Romans defined themselves and their honor.[8]
During Augustus' regime, Latin: gravitas was not included in the four cardinal virtues (Latin: virtus, Latin: clementia, Latin: justitia, and Latin: pietas) that were introduced to establish the myth of the Roman emperor and the model of a good ruler.[9]
See main article: Modes of persuasion.
Aristotle identified three essentials of persuasive communication—a component of personal presence:
In the British education system, Latin: gravitas was seen as one of the pillars of the moral formation of the English gentleman during the Victorian and Edwardian eras.[10] This partly derived from the notion of aristocratic pedigree, indicating polish, grace in manner, and dignity in outward appearance.[11] The British Empire also derived from the moral concept of Latin: [[imperium]] such that Latin: gravitas and other Roman virtues were idealized in its imperial society and in the governance of its dominion.[12] India, for instance, was ruled by men whose senses of power were imbued with Roman virtues. The concept of Latin: imperium also dominated the colonial Civil Service. The United Kingdom House of Commons also uses the term "bottom", which is the Conservative code for Latin: gravitas.[13]
Latin: Gravitas is also used in communication, particularly in speech, where it denotes the use of emphasis in order to give certain words weight.[14] Self-monitoring questions can determine expressive behavior and affective display, which could translate to Latin: gravitas in the way one conducts oneself or speaks. Self-monitoring questions can include: am I staying neutral, hindering direction, or am I helping to contribute with my participation?[15]