Imperialism, Power, and Identity: Experiencing the Roman Empire (Miriam S. Balmuth Lectures in Ancient History and Archaeology, 1)

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. This book 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 Rejecting outdated notions about Romanization, the book focuses instead on the concept of identity to reveal a Roman society made up of far-flung populations whose experience of empire varied enormously. It 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. The book draws on the author's 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. The book 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. This book advances a new agenda for classical studies, one that views Roman rule from the perspective of the ruled and not just the rulers. A new preface reflects on some of the reactions prompted by the initial publication of the book. 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 Rejecting outdated notions about Romanization, David Mattingly focuses instead on the concept of identity to reveal a Roman society made up of far-flung populations whose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. 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 -- Provided by Publisher 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 People. This Book Boldly Challenges This View. Preface: My Roman Empire -- Imperialisms And Colonialisms -- From Imperium To Imperialism : Writing The Roman Empire -- From One Colonialism To Another : Imperialism And The Maghreb -- Regime Change, Resistance, And Reconstruction : Imperialism Ancient And Modern -- Power, Sex, And Empire -- Ruling Regions, Exploiting Resources -- Landscapes Of Imperialism : Africa, A Landscape Of Opportunity? -- Metals And Metalla : A Roman Copper-mining Landscape In The Wadi Faynan, Jordan -- Identity And Discrepancy -- Family Values : Art And Power At Ghirza In The Libyan Pre-desert -- Afterword: Empire Experienced. David J. Mattingly. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Cover 1 Title 4 Contents 8 List of Illustrations 10 List of Tables 14 Foreword by R. Bruce Hitchner 16 Preface: My Roman Empire 18 PART ONE Imperialisms and Colonialisms 26 1. From Imperium to Imperialism: Writing the Roman Empire 28 2. From One Colonialism to Another: Imperialism and the Maghreb 68 PART TWO Power 98 3. Regime Change, Resistance, and Reconstruction: Imperialism Ancient and Modern 100 4. Power, Sex, and Empire 119 PART THREE Resources 148 5. Ruling Regions, Exploiting Resources 150 6. Landscapes of Imperialism. Africa: A Landscape of Opportunity? 171 7. Metals and Metalla: A Roman Copper-Mining Landscape in the Wadi Faynan, Jordan 192 PART FOUR Identity 226 8. Identity and Discrepancy 228 9. Family Values: Art and Power at Ghirza in the Libyan Pre-desert 271 Afterword: Empire Experienced 294 References 302 Index 350 Focuses instead on the concept of identity to reveal a Roman society made up of far-flung populations whose experience of empire varied enormously. This title 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.