Final answer:
Romans revered their ancestors, viewing them as moral guides and holding them in high esteem, which was reflected in their family structure and religious practices. Gift-giving by ambassadors symbolized good will between empires.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Romans' relationship to their ancestors was characterized by reverence. They viewed their ancestors as moral exemplars who set standards for correct behavior. This is illustrated by the Roman family structure, where the patriarch and family members looked to their ancestors for guidance on moral conduct, aiming to ensure the family's prosperity and honor. Furthermore, Roman society was highly hierarchical and patriarchal, with ancestry playing a key role in determining an individual's status within the community. The pride in one's lineage encouraged the continuation of ancestor worship and the emulation of ancestral virtues.
In the context of gift-giving ceremonies between empires, these were often indicative of good will. Ambassadors carried out these ceremonies to demonstrate the friendly intentions and to build or maintain positive relationships between different empires.
The structure of Roman families and their regard for ancestors also had links to Roman religion, where the household gods (Lares and Penates) and worship of ancestors (Di Manes) played a key role in the religious life of Romans.