Ancient Romans made resolutions — and perhaps, like us, they
failed to keep them. Maybe that's why Rome fell. Did Brutus
Break Resolutions? Ancient Romans — they were just like us! The
earliest reliable records of resolutions are in Roman writings
from around 180 A.D., says anthropologist Douglas Raybeck of
Hamilton College. Planning ahead and trying to change things is
uniquely human, he explains. Romans wanted to get along better
with neighbors, help the poor and improve their bodies. (Sounds
familiar?) No records indicating the strength of Roman will
power. But in at least one case, a tattletale said his neighbor
failed to keep his vow to reduce drinking. You make 'em. And you
break 'em. That's the way New Year's resolutions work. If you'd
like to break the pattern, a psychotherapist would be glad to
help. Michael Houston is a psychoanalyst in Washington, D.C.
What would he do to help a patient who resolves to lose weight?
"I'd probably start with how they're feeling about themselves
and their current weig