 Unlike the ancient Greek portraits that strived for idealization (the Greeks believed that a good man must be beautiful), Roman portrait sculpture was far more natural and is still considered one of the most realistic samples of the genre in the history of art.Portraiture in Republican Rome was a way of establishing societal legitimacy and achieving status through one's family and background.Exploits wrought by one's ancestors earned them and their families public approbation, and more; a pompous state funeral paid for by the state.