Social Factors in the Latinization of the Roman West

Latinization is a crucial topic for understanding the Roman provincial world, but it has been overlooked by historians. This volume aims to fill the gap in scholarship by bringing together expert contributors from various disciplines to explore the phenomenon of Latinization in its various aspects, including administration, army, economy, law, mobility, religion, social status, and urbanism. The result is a comprehensive guide to the topic that offers original and experimental work and lays the foundations for future explorations.

Format: Hardback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 19 December 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Latinization, a topic that has often been overlooked in historical studies, deserves greater attention. While it has been perceived as a mere by-product of Romanization, its significance in understanding the Roman provincial world, its inhabitants, and their languages cannot be overstated. This volume aims to bridge the gap in our understanding by bringing together a diverse range of expert contributors who employ a thematic approach to explore the multifaceted phenomenon of Latinization. Spanning various aspects of society, including administration, army, economy, law, mobility, religion (local and imperial religions, as well as Christianity), social status, and urbanism, the contributors offer a comprehensive guide to this complex subject. By situating Latinization within local and broader social developments, they coordinate materials and arguments that have previously been scattered across different scholarly works. The result is a rich and innovative volume that presents original research and offers fresh perspectives on Latinization.

The sociolinguistic, historical, and archaeological contributions in this volume reinforce, expand, and sometimes challenge our existing perceptions of Latinization. They lay the foundations for future explorations and provide valuable insights into the complex processes of cultural change and language evolution.

In addition to this volume, two further volumes will be published as part of the European Research Council-funded LatinNow project. These volumes will explore Latinization, Local Languages, and Literacies in the Roman West and Languages and Communities in the Late-Roman and Post-Imperial Western Provinces. Together, these projects will contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the diverse linguistic and cultural landscapes of the Roman world.

As an open-access title available under the terms of a CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license, this volume is freely accessible to readers on Oxford Academic. It is also offered as a free PDF download from OUP and selected open access locations, ensuring wider dissemination of knowledge and scholarship.

In conclusion, Latinization is a topic that demands our attention and exploration. This volume, through its multidisciplinary approach and comprehensive coverage, provides a valuable contribution to our understanding of the Roman provincial world and its languages. By fostering collaboration and interdisciplinary dialogue, it sets the stage for further discoveries and advancements in the field.

Weight: 792g
Dimension: 164 x 241 x 32 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780198887294