Becoming Roman?: Diverging Identities and Experiences in Ancient Northwest Italy (UCL Institute of Archaeology Publications) (Volume 57)

1. Conceptualising processes of sociocultural change -- 2. Discrepant identities in the republic -- 3. The Roman framework : overpowering or make-believe? -- 4. Adapting and integrating in the principate -- 5. Identity-creation in a global world -- 6. Conclusions : 'becoming Roman' in northwest Italy? "Few empires had such an impact on the conquered peoples as did the Roman empire, creating social, economic, and cultural changes that erased long-standing differences in material culture, languages, cults, rituals and identities. But even Rome could not create a single unified culture. Individual decisions introduced changes in material culture, identity, and behavior, creating local cultures within the global world of the Roman empire that were neither Roman nor native. The author uses Northwest Italy as an exemplary case as it went from a marginal zone to one of the most flourishing and strongly urbanized regions of Italy, while developing a unique regional culture. This volume will appeal to researchers interested in the Roman Empire, as well as those interested in individual and cultural identity in the past. " -- Publisher's description. Few empires had such an impact on the conquered peoples as did the Roman empire, yet this volume shows though the example of Northwest Italy how individuals' decisions introduced changes in material culture, identity and behavior on a regional level to resist homogenization.