The Limits of Empire: The Roman Army in the East (Clarendon Paperbacks)

For more than seven centuries most of the Near East was part of the Roman empire. Yet no work exists which explores the means by which an ancient power originating in the western Mediterranean could control such a vast and distant region. What was the impact of the army presence on the population of the provinces? How did Rome respond to the challenge posed by the desert and its nomadic population? Isaac here offers answers to these questions in the first comprehensive treatment of the Roman military presence in the Near East. Using both well-known and neglected sources, he reassesses the means by which Rome achieved and maintained its control over the region. His study, now revised and updated to reflect recent research findings, casts new light on an important issue which has far-reaching implications for the understanding of ancient and modern imperialism. For More Than Seven Centuries Most Of The Near East Was Part Of The Roman Empire. This Was The Area Of Confrontation With Persia. Yet No Work Exists Which Explores The Means By Which An Ancient Power Originating In The Western Mediterranean Could Control Such A Vast And Distant Region. What Were The Roman Political And Military Aims In The Region From The Caucasus To Sinai? What Was The Impact Of The Army Presence On The Population Of The Provinces? How Did Rome Respond To The Challenge Posed By The Desert And Its Nomadic Population? Professor Isaac Here Offers Answers To These Questions In The First Comprehensive Treatment Of The Roman Military Presence In The Near East. Using Both Well-known And Neglected Sources, And Archaeological Material, He Reassesses The Means By Which Rome Achieved And Maintained Her Control Over The Region. He Discusses The Extent To Which Current Vacillating Views On Imperialism Can Affect Opinions Concerning The Character And Mechanisms By Which Rome Ensured The Integrity And Expansion Of Her Influence. Also Considered Here Are Problems Of Methodology, Especially The Use Of Archaeological Remains For Historical Interpretation. In This Study, Professor Isaac Casts New Light On An Important Issue Which Has Far-reaching Implications For The Understanding Of Ancient And Modern Imperialism. The Book Won The Best Book Award For 1991 From The American Military Institute. I. Rome And Persia -- Ii. Consolidation And Internal Unrest -- Iii. The Army Of The Principate: An Army Of Occupation -- Iv. The Army Of The Fourth Century -- V. Enemies And Allies After Septimius Severus -- Vi. Army And Civilians In The East -- Vii. The Military Function Of Roman Veteran Colonies -- Viii. Urbanization -- Ix. Frontier Policy -- Grand Strategy? -- Appendix I. Roman Army Sites In Judaea -- Appendix Ii. Antioch As Military Headquarters And Imperial Residence. By Benjamin Isaac. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [451]-495) And Index. This is the first comprehensive treatment of the Roman military presence in the Near East. Using both well-known and neglected sources, Professor Isaac reassesses the means by which Rome achieved and maintained her contorl over the region. He discusses the extent to which current vacillating views on imperialism can affect opinions concerning the character and mechanisms by which Rome ensured the integrity and expansion of her influence. Also considered here are problems of methodology, especially the use of archaelogical remains for historical interpretation. Now available in paperback, this revised edition contains extensive author's ammendments in the light of the most recent research, so that the book is now representative of the most up-to-date work on the subject. There is an additional bibliography, containing material only recently made available, and a new preface introducing the volume This revised edition of a history of the exploits of the Roman Army contains extensive amendments in the light of recent archaeological research. Included in the work is a bibliography containing material only recently made available.