Bandits In The Roman Empire: Myth And Reality Räuber, Rebellen, Rivalen, Rächer. English

This wide-ranging and informative survey of 'outsider' groups in the Roman Empire will contribute greatly to our understanding of Roman social history. Examining men such as as Viriatus, Tacfarinus, Maternus and Bulla Felix, who were called latrones after clashing with the imperial authorities, special attention is given to perhaps the best-known 'bandit' of all, Spartacus, and to those who impersonated the emperor Nero after his death. Topics covered include: \* Whom did the Romans see as bandits (latrones)? \* What did they understand as robbery (lactrocinium)?\* How pressing was the threat that the bandits posed?\* How did their contemporaries perceive the danger? We are shown that the term latrones was not just used to refer to criminals but was metaphorically and disparagingly applied to failed political rebels, rivals and avengers. The word also came to represent the 'noble brigands', idealising the underdog as a means of criticising the winning side. The author therefore presents 'the bandit' as a literary construct rather than a social type. This Book Examines The Concept Of Latrones, Literally Bandits Or Robbers, And How The Term Was Used In The Roman World Of The Late Republic And The Early Empire (2nd Century Bc-3rd Century Ad). Case Studies Focus On Men Such As Viriatus, Tacfarinas, Maternus And Bulla Felix, Who Were Called Latrones After Clashing With The Imperial Authorities. Special Attention Is Given To Perhaps The Best-known 'bandit' Of All, Spartacus, And To The Men Who Impersonated The Emperor Nero After His Death.--jacket. 1. Real Bandits -- 2. Guerrilla Leaders As Latrones -- 3. Leaders Of Slave Revolts As Latrones -- 4. Politicians And Pretenders As Latrones -- 5. Leistai In Judaea -- 6. Imperial Chalengers : Bulla Felix And Maternus -- 7. Avengers In Dynastic Conflicts -- 8. Conclusion. Thomas Grünewald ; Translated By John Drinkwater. Includes Bibliographical References (p. Ix-x) And Index. Book Cover......Page 1 Title......Page 4 Contents......Page 5 Translator's foreword......Page 7 Author's preface to the original German edition......Page 8 Bibliography......Page 10 Introduction......Page 12 Real bandits......Page 25 Guerrilla leaders as latrones......Page 44 Leaders of slave revolts as latrones......Page 68 Politicians and pretenders as latrones......Page 83 Leistai in Judaea......Page 102 Imperial challengers: Bulla Felix and Maternus......Page 121 Avengers in dynastic conflicts......Page 148 Conclusion......Page 172 Notes......Page 178 Index......Page 235 Historians are increasingly recognising that outsiders and those on the margins of communities are integral elements of every social structure, and that they therefore have a significant effect on the historical process. The book aims to show how the concept of the bandit was taken up and manipulated during the Late Roman Republic and early Empire (2nd c. BC - 3rd c. AD.)