Valorizing the Barbarians: Enemy Speeches in Roman Historiography (Ashley and Peter Larkin Series in Greek and Roman Culture)

With the growth of postcolonial theory in recent decades, scholarly views of Roman imperialism and colonialism have been evolving and shifting. Much recent discussion of the topic has centered on the ways in which ancient Roman historians consciously or unconsciously denigrated non-Romans. Similarly, contemporary scholars have downplayed Roman elite anxiety about their empire's expansion. In this groundbreaking new work, Eric Adler explores the degree to which ancient historians of Rome were capable of valorizing foreigners and presenting criticisms of their own society. By examining speeches put into the mouths of barbarian leaders by a variety of writers, he investigates how critical of the empire these historians could be. Adler examines pairs of speeches purportedly delivered by non-Roman leaders so that the contrast between them might elucidate each writer's sense of imperialism. Analyses of Sallust's and Trogus's treatments of the Eastern ruler Mithradates, Polybius's and Livy's speeches from Carthage's Hannibal, and Tacitus's and Cassius Dio's accounts of the oratory of the Celtic warrior queen Boudica form the core of this study. Adler supplements these with examinations of speeches from other characters, as well as contextual narrative from the historians. Throughout, Adler wrestles with broader issues of Roman imperialism and historiography, including administrative greed and corruption in the provinces, the treatment of gender and sexuality, and ethnic stereotyping. Cover 1 Contents 8 Acknowledgments 10 Author’s Note 12 Introduction 16 Part I: Mithridates and the East 30 1. "A Deep-Seated Lust for Empire and Riches": Sallust's Epistula Mithridatis 32 2. "Their Whole Population Has the Spirit of Wolves": Pompeius Trogus' Speech of Mithridates 52 Part II: Hannibal and Carthage 74 3. "He Considered It to Be in No Way Worthy to Contemplate the Hope of Living Defeated": Polybius' Speeches of Hannibal 76 4. "Nothing at All Has Been Left to Us, Except That Which We Defend with Arms": Livy's Hannibal 98 Part III: Boudica and Britain 132 5. "Men Might Live and Be Slaves": Tacitus' Speech of Boudica 134 6. "Slaves to a Bad Lyre-Player": Cassius Dio's Speech of Boudica 156 7. Conclusions 178 Appendix: Texts and Translations of the Speeches Examined at Length 192 Notes 226 Works Cited 262 Index 280 Pt. 1. Mithridates And The East -- A Deep-seated Lust For Empire And Riches : Sallust's Epistula Mithridatis -- Their Whole Population Has The Spirit Of Wolves : Pompeius Trogus' Speech Of Mithridates -- Pt. 2. Hannibal And Carthage -- He Considered It To Be In No Way Worthy To Contemplate The Hope Of Living Defeated : Polybius' Speeches Of Hannibal -- Nothing At All Has Been Left To Us, Except That Which We Defend With Arms : Livy's Hannibal -- Pt. 3. Boudica And Britain -- Men Might Live And Be Slaves : Tacitus' Speech Of Boudica -- Slaves To A Bad Lyre-player : Cassius Dio's Speech Of Boudica -- Conclusions -- Appendix: Texts And Translations Of The Speeches Examined At Length. Eric Adler. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Comparing and contrasting speeches attributed to barbarian leaders by ancient Roman historians, this book offers a systematic examination of the ways in which those historians valorized foreigners and presented criticisms of their own society.