The entire concept of Roman life seemed to center around the city. The countryside was a nice place to retire to for a while in order to stay in touch with nature. Yet it was seen as a unsuitable place for a true citizen. Romans were after all social creatures, which craved being part of a society. The Roman needed a community, family, or at least a group of friends around him. No better place was there for this than the city.
The truly civilized citizens had to be more than educated or successful. In the Roman mind it was necessary to belong. Though to be a citizen also meant to prove oneself. A Roman was always subject to the gaze of his fellow citizens and it was in their eyes that he was to show himself a worthy person by, respect to his parents, loyal to his patrons, and able to raise his family. Just as the Roman craved society, so was he made to prove himself worthy of membership in it.
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