Politics of Munificence in the Roman Empire: Citizens, Elites and Benefactors in Asia Minor

Arjan Zuiderhoek argues that the surge in elite public giving in the eastern Roman provinces was not caused by the weak economic and financial position of the provincial cities, but by social and political developments and tensions within the Greek cities created by their integration into the Roman imperial system. The exchange of gifts for honors was an excellent political mechanism for deflecting social tensions away from open conflicts.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 204 pages
Publication date: 11 February 2021
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

In the first two centuries AD, the eastern Roman provinces witnessed an extraordinary surge in elite public generosity, unparalleled in their previous or subsequent history. This study by Arjan Zuiderhoek aims to delve into the underlying reasons behind this remarkable phenomenon. By examining the case of Roman Asia Minor, Zuiderhoek challenges the commonly held belief that the rise in elite public giving was solely attributed to the weak economic and financial conditions of the provincial cities. Instead, he argues that social and political developments, as well as tensions within the Greek cities brought about by their integration into the Roman imperial system, played a significant role in fostering this surge in generosity.

As disparities of wealth and power within imperial polis society continued to widen, the exchange of gifts for honors between elite and non-elite citizens emerged as an effective political mechanism to diffuse social tensions away from open conflicts and towards communal celebrations of shared citizenship and the legitimation of power in the cities. This practice not only fostered a sense of unity and harmony but also helped to reinforce the authority of the Roman government and the ruling elite.

The study by Zuiderhoek offers valuable insights into the complex dynamics of power, society, and culture in the Roman Empire. By examining the role of elite public generosity in the eastern Roman provinces, he sheds light on the ways in which social tensions were managed, power was legitimated, and a sense of common identity was cultivated within the empire. This research contributes to our understanding of the complex interplay between political, social, and economic factors in ancient societies and provides valuable lessons for contemporary policymakers and scholars.

Weight: 312g
Dimension: 228 x 151 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108994033