Imperialism, Power and Identity: Experiencing the Roman Empire - Rilegato

Mattingly, David J.

Rilegato

ISBN 10: 0691146055 ISBN 13: 9780691146058

Casa editrice: Princeton Univ Pr, 2010

Riassunto

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Rejecting outdated notions about Romanization, David Mattingly focuses instead on the concept of identity to reveal a Roman society made up of far-flung populations whose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.

Su questo libro

Recensione:

"Imperialism, Power, and Identity is an ambitious attempt to map the transformation of lifestyles and experience among Rome's provincial subjects in the first three centuries AD. . . . This is 'history from below' at its best."--Peter Thonemann, Times Literary Supplement

"The title of Mattingly's book is no false advertising. His treatment of what empire and imperialism are; how power permeated all relationships and transactions--personal social, political, sexual and economic--throughout the Empire; in what ways the inexhaustible appetite for resources in Roman imperial times wasted human lives and did lasting damage to natural landscapes; and how individuals and groups conceived of their identities under Roman imperial rule, all make us experience what it was like to be part of its power system."--Tom Palaima, Times Higher Education Supplement

"For a serious academic treatment--this is no light read--his conclusions can be surprisingly uncomfortable, especially for those who prefer to see the artistic fruits of Roman civilization without the human suffering that accompanied them. This latest volume is essential for anyone wishing to keep up with the debate."--Current Archaelogy

"Mattingly presents a personal reflection on Roman imperialism in which he rejects the essentially static concept of Romanization in favor of a more dynamic model."--Choice

"[T]his volume is provocative, passionate and personal. It ranges widely across time, space and categories of evidence. Importantly, it is a contribution which does not unquestioningly import and impose concepts such as post-colonial theory, but rather it critically examines their value, refines them and contributes back to wider contemporary debates."--Robert Witcher, Classical Review

"Mattingly's presentation of many cogent and well-supported arguments . . . should be considered by all serious scholars of the Roman Empire."--Adam Kemezis, Journal of the Classical Association of Canada

"The text is very well structured, with ample definitions, introductions, subtitling and conclusions reiterating the main points. Mattingly is a good writer and his prose makes good reading, regardless of whether or not one is willing fully to share his new readings of the issues involved. The scholarship of this book is admirable and the points well argued. Mattingly may not be such a lonely front line soldier defending a new paradigm as he sometimes implies, but there is no denying that he is a central figure in the discussion that more and more pervades archaeological studies dealing with the understanding of the implications of Roman imperialism. . . . This book is a passionate, thought-provoking and necessary statement in this debate."--Pirjo Hamari, ARCTOS

"Imperialism, Power, and Identity provides an excellent summation of both Roman imperialism and Mattingly's unique perspective on the relationship between empires and local peoples. His writing style, engrossing case studies, and distinctive interpretations are welcome additions to the study of Roman imperial encounters. The book should be of great interest to specialists and postgraduates, as well as anyone interested in understanding Roman imperialism from a vantage other than the traditional one."--Anna Lucille Boozer, British Archaeology

Contenuti:

List of Illustrations ix
List of Tables xiii
Foreword by R. Bruce Hitchner xv
Preface: My Roman Empire xvii

Part One: Imperialisms and Colonialisms
Chapter 1: From Imperium to Imperialism: Writing the Roman Empire 3
Chapter 2: From One Colonialism to Another: Imperialism and the Maghreb 43

Part Two: Power
Chapter 3: Regime Change, Resistance, and Reconstruction: Imperialism Ancient and Modern 75
Chapter 4: Power, Sex, and Empire 94

Part Three: Resources
Chapter 5: Ruling Regions, Exploiting Resources 125
Chapter 6: Landscapes of Imperialism. Africa: A Landscape of Opportunity? 146
Chapter 7: Metals and Metalla: A Roman Copper-Mining Landscape in the Wadi Faynan, Jordan 167

Part Four: Identity
Chapter 8: Identity and Discrepancy 203
Chapter 9: Family Values: Art and Power at Ghirza in the Libyan Pre-desert 246

Afterword: Empire Experienced 269
References 277
Index 325

Su questa edizione

• Editore: Princeton Univ Pr
• Data di pubblicazione: 2010
• ISBN 10: 0691146055
• ISBN 13: 9780691146058
• Rilegatura: Copertina rigida
• Numero di pagine: 342