The Rise of Rome: From the Iron Age to the Punic WarsBy the third century BC, the once-modest settlement of Rome had conquered most of Italy and was poised to build an empire throughout the Mediterranean basin. What transformed a humble city into the preeminent power of the region? In The Rise of Rome, the historian and archaeologist Kathryn Lomas reconstructs the diplomatic ploys, political stratagems, and cultural exchanges whereby Rome established itself as a dominant player in a region already brimming with competitors. The Latin world, she argues, was not so much subjugated by Rome as unified by it. This new type of society that emerged from Rome’s conquest and unification of Italy would serve as a political model for centuries to come. Archaic Italy was home to a vast range of ethnic communities, each with its own language and customs. Some such as the Etruscans, and later the Samnites, were major rivals of Rome. From the late Iron Age onward, these groups interacted in increasingly dynamic ways within Italy and beyond, expanding trade and influencing religion, dress, architecture, weaponry, and government throughout the region. Rome manipulated preexisting social and political structures in the conquered territories with great care, extending strategic invitations to citizenship and thereby allowing a degree of local independence while also fostering a sense of imperial belonging. In the story of Rome’s rise, Lomas identifies nascent political structures that unified the empire’s diverse populations, and finds the beginnings of Italian peoplehood. |
Contents
War politics and society Rome and Italy 600400 | 97 |
The Roman conquest of Italy | 215 |
From citystate to Italian dominance | 289 |
Roman dates and chronology | 329 |
Timeline | 331 |
A note on sources | 335 |
Notes | 347 |
Further reading | 367 |
Guide to sites museums and online resources | 375 |
| 381 | |
| 393 | |
Other editions - View all
The Rise of Rome: From the Iron Age to the Punic Wars (1000-264 BC) Kathryn Lomas No preview available - 2017 |
The Rise of Rome: From the Iron Age to the Punic Wars (1000 BC - 264 BC) Kathryn Lomas No preview available - 2018 |
Common terms and phrases
accounts ancient archaeological areas army aspects became bronze buildings burials Campania central changes Chapter citizens close collection colonies communities complex connections consuls contained cult culture decorated demonstrates discussed dominated earliest early economic elected elite established ethnic Etruria Etruscan evidence extensive fifth century forced Forum foundation fourth century further grave Greek groups houses identity important increasing influence inscriptions Italian Italy king known land late later Latin Latium less Livy located magistrates military offered organisation origin particularly patricians period plebeians political population possible pottery practice probably problems records region religious remained Republic rituals Roman Rome Rome’s Samnites sanctuary seems senate Servius settlement seventh century similar sixth social society sources southern status structure suggests temple territory third century tombs trade traditions treaty urban Veii wars women