Responses to Imperialism in Roman Historical Writing (DFF-Research Project 2)

This project analyses ancient historical writers’ perceptions of Roman imperial
aspirations from c. 260 BCE to c. 250 CE. By integrating Roman historical writing
(Latin and Greek) within wider discussions of imperialism, we examine those
historians’ responses to Rome’s use of power, their experience of empire, and how
far their assessments of imperial motives correlate with modern reconstructions. Our
hypothesis is that ancient historians were more critical of the expansion of Roman
power than scholars tend to conclude. Comparison of how historians (e.g. Polybius,
Caesar, Josephus and Dio) treated the topic, as well as analysis of material culture
(architecture, coins, inscriptions) will deepen understanding of the ideas which
underpinned Rome’s imperial structures and debates over them. This joint venture
between interdisciplinary scholars at several universities worldwide consists of two
subprojects each divided in workpackages, produced over a series of seminars and
conferences.