Empire and Ideology in the Graeco-Roman World: Selected Papers [Paperback]

This book explores how the Graeco-Roman world suffered from major power conflicts, imperial ambition, and ethnic, religious and racist strife.In this collection of papers, distinguished historian Benjamin Isaac examines the Roman concepts of state and empire and mechanisms of control and integration. He also discusses ethnic and cultural relationships in the Roman Empire and the limits of tolerance and integration, as well as attitudes to foreigners and minorities, including Jews.In this collection of papers, distinguished historian Benjamin Isaac examines the Roman concepts of state and empire and mechanisms of control and integration. He also discusses ethnic and cultural relationships in the Roman Empire and the limits of tolerance and integration, as well as attitudes to foreigners and minorities, including Jews.Benjamin Isaac is one of the most distinguished historians of the ancient world, with a number of landmark monographs to his name. This volume collects most of his published articles and book chapters of the last two decades, many of which are not easy to access, and republishes them for the first time along with some brand new chapters. The focus is on Roman concepts of state and empire and mechanisms of control and integration. Isaac also discusses ethnic and cultural relationships in the Roman Empire and the limits of tolerance and integration, as well as attitudes to foreigners and minorities, including Jews. The book will appeal to scholars and students of ancient, imperial, and military history, as well as to those interested in the ancient history of problems which still resonate in today's societies.Introduction; 1. Roma Aeterna; 2. Roman victory displayed: symbols, allegories, and personificiations?; 3. Army and violence; 4. Innovation and war; 5. Core-periphery notions; 6. Names: ethnic, geographic and administrative; 7. Attitudes towards provincial intellectuals in the Roman Empire; 8. Proto-racism in Graeco-Roman antiquity; 9. The barbarian iló{