Rome and the North-Western Mediterranean: Integration and connectivity c. 150-70 BC

Rome's intervention to the West from the mid-2nd century BC has not been looked at with an overview, but this volume pushes the historical and archaeological debates beyond these boundaries and the discipline-based previous research. The north-western Mediterranean is treated as a micro-region and is addressed using various interdisciplinary approaches, providing an innovative and comprehensive overview of the region in a period of historical crossroads. Contributors were encouraged to focus on the historical, archaeological, and numismatic material from several areas within the region and to incorporate aspects of interdisciplinary methodologies to address the regions military, political, social, and economic interconnections with Italy, Rome, and each other.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 15 September 2022
Publisher: Oxbow Books

The study of Rome's intervention in the West from the mid-2nd century BC has been approached in a fragmented and disconnected manner, with a plethora of micro-regional studies focusing on specific areas such as the River Ebro in Spain, Italy on the land front, and the Balearic Islands to Corsica, Sardinia, and even Sicily in terms of the maritime aspect. In contrast, this volume aims to expand the historical and archaeological debates surrounding Rome's expansion beyond these traditional geographical boundaries and the discipline-based research that has previously dominated the field.

The entire north-western Mediterranean is treated as a micro-region, and a comprehensive overview is provided through the use of various interdisciplinary approaches. By examining the connectivity and integration within this region as two interrelated issues, the volume seeks to offer an innovative perspective on the historical crossroads of the north-western Mediterranean. While Republican Rome played a significant role in enforcing its expansion towards the West, a wide range of polities, military operations, and individuals also contributed to the creation of interconnectivity and integration within the region.

To uncover these processes of hybridization, contributors to this volume were encouraged to explore historical, archaeological, and numismatic material from multiple areas within the region. They were also encouraged to incorporate aspects of interdisciplinary methodologies to address the region's military, political, social, and economic interconnections with Italy, Rome, and each other throughout the studied period.

The volume comprises a collection of essays that explore various aspects of Rome's intervention in the West, including political, military, social, and economic developments. The essays are organized into four sections:

Section 1: The Political Context
This section examines the political landscape of the north-western Mediterranean during the Roman period, including the rise of Rome, the establishment of its empire, and the conflicts and alliances that shaped the region. Contributors explore the political structures, institutions, and ideologies of the various polities in the region, as well as the impact of Roman expansion on their political systems.

Section 2: The Military Context
This section explores the military aspects of Rome's intervention in the West, including the organization and tactics of Roman armies, the deployment of military forces, and the strategies employed by Rome to conquer and consolidate its empire. Contributors also examine the role of local militaries and mercenaries in the Roman conquest and the impact of military technology on the course of the war.

Section 3: The Social Context
This section examines the social and cultural developments of the north-western Mediterranean during the Roman period, including the impact of Romanization, the development of urban centers, and the changes in social structures and hierarchies. Contributors explore the role of women, slaves, and other marginalized groups in Roman society, as well as the impact of Roman culture on local traditions and customs.

Section 4: The Economic Context
This section explores the economic developments of the north-western Mediterranean during the Roman period, including the establishment of trade routes, the development of agriculture and industry, and the impact of Roman imperialism on the economies of the region. Contributors also examine the role of commerce and trade in the creation of interdependence and integration within the north-western Mediterranean.

In conclusion, this volume provides a comprehensive and innovative overview of the north-western Mediterranean in a period of historical crossroads. By treating the region as a micro-region and employing various interdisciplinary approaches, the volume seeks to shed light on the complex processes of hybridization that shaped the region's history and culture. The essays in the volume offer valuable insights into the political, military, social, and economic developments of the region, and they contribute to our understanding of the interconnectedness and integration of the north-western Mediterranean into a new hybrid reality.

Dimension: 280 x 216 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781789257175