The Early Roman Expansion Into Italy : Elite Negotiation and Family Agendas

This book presents a radical new interpretation of Roman expansion in Italy during the fourth and third centuries BCE. Nicola Terrenato argues that the process was accomplished by means of a grand bargain that was negotiated between the landed elites of central and southern Italy, while military conquest played a much smaller role than is usually envisaged. Deploying archaeological, epigraphic, and historical evidence, he paints a picture of the family interactions that tied together both Roman and non-Roman aristocrats and that resulted in their pooling power and resources for the creation of a new political entity. The book is written in accessible language, without technical terms or quotations in Latin, and is heavily illustrated. Read more... Cover 1 Half-title 3 Title page 5 Copyright information 6 Dedication 7 Table of contents 9 List of Illustrations 11 Preface 15 Acknowledgments 21 1 Views of Roman Imperialism through Time 23 Introduction 23 Debating Roman Imperialism: The Early Days 25 The Beginnings of Historical Research 32 The Advent of Scientific Historiography 40 The Debate in the Last Few Decades 46 2 The Long-Term Context of Roman Expansion: Central Italian Society and Politics in the Early First Millennium BCE 53 Introduction 53 A General Review of Urbanization 56 Defining the Social Actors: Elites and Others 65 Interactions and Integrations between Elite Groups 73 The Nature of Early States in Central Italy 78 Long-Distance Interactions 85 Conclusions 92 3 The Global Context of Roman Expansion: The Central Mediterranean between the Late Fifth and the Early... 95 Introduction 95 Syracuse 101 Carthage 108 Marseille 115 Tarquinia 119 Conclusions 124 4 A Heterogeneous Conquest I: A Cross-Section of Polity Biographies and Types of Conflicts 131 Introduction 131 Veii 134 Caere 141 Capua 148 Samnites 155 Arezzo 165 Conclusions 168 5 A Heterogeneous Conquest II: Family Biographies and Agendas 177 Introduction 177 The Roman Army and its Commanders 180 Family Agendas in Military Campaigns 189 The Plautii in the Fourth Century 196 The Role of Italian Elites in the Conquest 203 Conclusions 213 6 The Consequences of the Expansion 216 Introduction 216 Slaughter and Looting 218 Diplomacy and Politics 225 Local Elites after the Conquest 230 Enslavement and Social Dependency 233 Confiscations 237 Colonies 241 Centuriation 248 Roads 252 Citizenship and Law 258 Economy 264 Conclusions 269 7 Conclusions 271 References 295 Index 345 This Book Presents A Radical New Interpretation Of Roman Expansion In Italy During The Fourth And Third Centuries Bce. Nicola Terrenato Argues That The Process Was Accomplished By Means Of A Grand Bargain That Was Negotiated Between The Landed Elites Of Central And Southern Italy, While Military Conquest Played A Much Smaller Role Than Is Usually Envisaged. Deploying Archaeological, Epigraphic, And Historical Evidence, He Paints A Picture Of The Family Interactions That Tied Together Both Roman And Non-roman Aristocrats And That Resulted In Their Pooling Power And Resources For The Creation Of A New Political Entity. The Book Is Written In Accessible Language, Without Technical Terms Or Quotations In Latin, And Is Heavily Illustrated. Nicola Terrenato. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. "This book presents a radical new interpretation of Roman expansion in Italy during the fourth and third centuries BCE. Nicola Terrenato argues that the process was accomplished by means of a grand bargain that was negotiated between the landed elites of central and southern Italy, while military conquest played a much smaller role than is usually envisaged. Deploying archaeological, epigraphic, and historical evidence, he paints a picture of the family interactions that tied together both Roman and non-Roman aristocrats and that resulted in their pooling power and resources for the creation of a new political entity. The book is written in accessible language, without technical terms or quotations in Latin, and is heavily illustrated." -- Publisher's description "This book presents a radical new interpretation of Roman expansion in Italy during the fourth and third centuries BCE. Nicola Terrenato argues that the process was accomplished by means of a grand bargain that was negotiated between the landed elites of central and southern Italy, while military conquest played a much smaller role than is usually envisaged. Deploying archaeological, epigraphic, and historical evidence, he paints a picture of the family interactions that tied together both Roman and non-Roman aristocrats and that resulted in their pooling power and resources for the creation of a new political entity. The book is written in accessible language, without technical terms or quotations in Latin, and is heavily illustrated."--Provided by publisher List of illustrations Preface Acknowledgments 1. Views of Roman imperialism through time 2. The long-term context of Roman expansion: central Italian society and politics in the early first Millennium BCE 3. The global context of Roman expansion: the central Mediterranean between the late fifth and the early third centuries BCE 4. A heterogeneous conquest I: a cross section of polity biographies and types of conflicts 5. A heterogeneous conquest II: family biographies and agendas 6. The consequences of the expansion 7. Conclusions Works cited Index. The book presents a radical new interpretation of Roman expansion in Italy. Argues that the process was achieved by means of a grand bargain among local elites rather than through military conquest. Using archaeological, epigraphic, and historical evidence, it reconstructs the family interactions that tied together Italian aristocrats to form a new state.