Articulating Resistance under the Roman Empire

Explores the diverse strategies by which elite Greeks and Romans resisted the cultural and political domination of the Roman Empire in ways that avoided direct confrontation. These encompass the affirmation of identity via language choice, the use of genre, the negotiation of identity, and religion.

Format: Hardback
Length: 300 pages
Publication date: 05 January 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

This captivating book delves into a myriad of ingenious strategies employed by elite Greeks and Romans to challenge and undermine the cultural and political dominance of the Roman Empire, avoiding direct confrontations or simplistic warfare. Resistance, as defined within this context, encompasses a wide spectrum of responses, including opposition, subversion, antagonism, dissent, and criticism expressed through diverse cultural forms, ranging from identity assertion to polemic. While primarily centered on literary culture, the book's implications extend to the realm of visual and material culture. Within its pages, a distinguished group of scholars examines compelling topics such as the assertion of identity through language choice in epigraphy, the utilization of genre (dialogue, declamation, biography, the novel) to articulate resistant positions, the intricate negotiations of identity in Lucian's Greek essays, and the significant role of religion in resisting hegemonic power. Through their insightful analyses, the book offers a profound exploration of the complex interplay between culture, power, and resistance, shedding light on the enduring legacy of these ancient civilizations.

Weight: 623g
ISBN-13: 9781108484909