Despite what history has taught us about imperialism's
destructive effects on colonial societies, many classicists
continue to emphasize disproportionately the civilizing and
assimilative nature of the Roman Empire and to hold a generally
favorable view of Rome's impact on its subject peoples.
"Imperialism, Power, and Identity" boldly challenges this view
using insights from postcolonial studies of modern empires to offer
a more nuanced understanding of Roman imperialism.
Rejecting outdated notions about Romanization, David Mattingly
focuses instead on the concept of identity to reveal a Roman
society made up of far-flung populations whose experience of empire
varied enormously. He examines the nature of power in Rome and the
means by which the Roman state exploited the natural, mercantile,
and human resources within its frontiers. Mattingly draws on his
own archaeological work in Britain, Jordan, and North Africa and
covers a broad range of topics, including sexual relations and
violence; census-taking and taxation; mining and pollution; land
and labor; and art and iconography. He shows how the lives of those
under Rome's dominion were challenged, enhanced, or destroyed by
the empire's power, and in doing so he redefines the meaning and
significance of Rome in today's debates about globalization, power,
and empire.
"Imperialism, Power, and Identity" advances a new agenda for
classical studies, one that views Roman rule from the perspective
of the ruled and not just the rulers.
In a new preface, Mattingly reflects on some of the reactions
prompted by the initial publication of the book.
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