Pietas is a Latin term that refers to a sense of duty, loyalty, and devotion, particularly towards family, country, and the gods. It embodies the moral obligation to honor and respect these relationships, emphasizing the importance of social and familial bonds in Roman culture. In ancient Rome, pietas was considered a virtue essential for maintaining harmony within society. It was often associated with figures like Aeneas, the hero of Virgil's epic, who exemplified this quality through his dedication to his family and his mission to found a new city for his people.